Does optimizing bladder management equal optimizing quality of life? Correlation between health-related quality of life and urodynamic parameters in patients with spinal cord lesions.

摘要

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the influence of bladder management on patient well-being by correlating the objective urodynamic results of bladder treatment with the perceived quality of life in patients with spinal cord lesions. METHODS: In a prospective study, 41 consecutive patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction due to a spinal cord lesion who were performing intermittent self-catheterization underwent urodynamic examination and answered the German version of the Qualiveen (Coloplast A/S, Humlebaek, Denmark) questionnaire. The urodynamic results were classified as either treatment success or failure. The results of the Qualiveen questionnaire were correlated with these results. RESULTS: The Qualiveen scales concerning fears and feelings were significantly worse in patients with suboptimal bladder function compared with those patients with treatment success. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study have demonstrated that a treatment regimen leading to favorable urodynamic data and continence correlates with better quality of life.