Fecal Incontinence after Severe Brain Injury: A Barrier to Discharge after Inpatient Rehabilitation?

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of fecal incontinence (FI) after severe acquired brain injuries (sABIs) and to determine whether this symptom can lead to an inability to return home after rehabilitation. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study. In total, 521 acute sABI inpatients were enrolled from the Department of Neurorehabilitation at an academic tertiary care hospital. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without FI, at the end of the rehabilitation phase. The primary and secondary endpoints were the incidence of persistent FI and any difference in the discharge destination. RESULTS: Upon admission, new-onset FI was found in 443 (85%) patients, of which 38% had traumatic sABI. Moreover, 62.7% of all patients had FI upon admission. At discharge, 53.3% (264/495) of patients still had FI. Of these, 75.4% (199/264) had a Rancho Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale (LCFS) ≥3. A statistically significant correlation between FI at discharge and the presence of frontal lesions, autonomic crises, and increased LCFS scores was noted. Among the patients discharged to their homes, the proportion with persistent FI was lower (34% vs. 53.3). CONCLUSIONS: FI was significantly persistent after sABI, even after recovery from unconsciousness, and must be considered as a consequence of, rather than an independent risk factor for, unfavorable outcomes.

Bowel dysfunctions after acquired brain injury: a scoping review.

Bowel dysfunction is a common consequence of neurological diseases and has a major impact on the dignity and quality of life of patients. Evidence on neurogenic bowel is focused on spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis; few studies have focused on patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Neurogenic bowel dysfunction is related to a lifelong condition derived from central neurological disease, which further increases disability and social deprivation. The manifestations of neurogenic bowel dysfunction include fecal incontinence and constipation. Almost two out of three patients with central nervous system disorder have bowel impairment. This scoping review aims to comprehend the extent and type of evidence on bowel dysfunction after ABI and present conservative treatment. For this scoping review, the PCC (population, concept, and context) framework was used: patients with ABI and bowel dysfunction; evaluation and treatment; and intensive/extensive rehabilitation path. Ten full-text articles were included in the review. Oral laxatives are the most common treatment. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) subscale is the most common scale used to assess neurogenic bowel disease (60%), followed by the Rome II and III criteria, and the colon transit time is used to test for constipation; however, no instrumental methods have been used for incontinence. An overlapping between incontinence and constipation, SCI and ABI increase difficulties to manage NBD. The need for a consensus between the rehabilitative and gastroenterological societies on the diagnosis and medical care of NBD. Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework on August 16, 2022 https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/NEQMA.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy: A Narrative Review.

Rehabilitative treatment of urinary incontinence after prostatectomy has showed, on the basis of recent published evidence, encouraging results. At first, clinician applied evaluation and treatment approach suggested based on the studies and rationale of female stress urinary incontinence, but although long term literature suggested no evidence of benefits. Recent studies that have shown the real control mechanisms in male continence through the use of trans-perineal ultrasound, demonstrated that it is not appropriate to transfer the rehabilitation techniques applied in female stress incontinence to male incontinence after prostatectomy. Even that pathophysiology of urinary incontinence after prostatectomy is not fully understood, it's in part attributable to a urethral or bladder source. In particular, however, urethral sphincter dysfunction is predominant, secondary to surgical damage and to the partly organic and partly functional dysfunction of the external urethral sphincter; complementary action of all the muscles capable of contributing to the maintenance of urethral resistance is therefore important. As for rehabilitative approach to post-prostatectomy incontinence, the primary objective is to quantify the residual capacity of the muscular function that must replace the sphincter function, often compromised by surgery. Than a multimodal approach, comprising exercise and instrumental therapies, is needed. The present paper's aim was to overview current urinary dysfunction knowledge for male with radical prostatectomy, and to describe practical issue of evaluation and conservative treatment.

The role of the multi-disciplinary team and multi-disciplinary therapeutic protocol in the management of the chronic pelvic pain: There is strenght in numbers!

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and multi-disciplinary approach in the treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP). METHODS: The data of all consecutive patients referred for a CPP from 11/2016 to 2/2019 has been prospectively collected. The sample was divided in two groups: Group A, made by patients managed after the institution of our MDT, and Group B, made of patients managed before this date. The MDT is composed by three urogynecologists, a psychologist and a physiotherapist. All Group A patients underwent a weekly bladder instillation with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), kinesiotherapy for trigger points and Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation for 10 consecutive weeks. Patients were asked to perform a self-treatment following the Stanford Protocol and to adhere to a specific diet. All Group B patients were managed only with DMSO instillations and a strict diet. RESULTS: The Group A was made of 41 females and 6 males while the Group B was made of 38 females and 5 males. The Group A patients showed a statistically significant improvement in the Pelvic Pain Urgency Frequency, in the frequency times reported at the 6 months voiding diary, and a better Patient Global Impression of Improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the efficacy of the MDT in the management of CPP. The multimodal approach might represent an effective and reproducible non-invasive option to manage successfully CPP.

Prevalence of nocturia after brain injury: a cross-sectional study in a single rehabilitation center.

Aim: to analyze the prevalence of nocturia and its possible neuro-urological correlations in patients with a history of acquired brain injury (ABI).Methods: a single-centre population-based prospective study involving outpatients who were previously admitted to our Rehabilitation Hospital for acute ABI ≥ 18 months and ≤2 years prior. Impact of nocturia on QoL was evaluated by the standardized International Consultation on Incotinence Nocturia Quality of Life (ICIQ N-QoL). All participants were given a three-day frequency chart. Probability value <0.05 was statistically significant.Results: 48/138 subjects (35%) showed nocturia at 2-year follow-up visit. No, significant differences in age, gender, duration of coma, state of consciousness, disability, cognitive impairment and stroke severity were found in patients with or without nocturia. Subarachnoid haemorrhage (ESA) was the main reason for ABI in subjects showing nocturia (p = .037). The overall ICIQ N-QOL score ranged from 12 to 50 (mean 30.12 ± 8.87). Of them, 75% showed a total score >26. Increased diurnal frequency and small bladder capacity was statistically significantly associated with nocturia (p < .05).Conclusions: the rate of nocturia 2 years following ABI was lower compared to other neurological populations, although it was significantly associated with other storage urinary symptoms.

[Unresponsive wakefulness syndrome: clinical predictors of late recovery.] / La sindrome di veglia aresponsiva: fattori clinici predittivi di recupero tardivo.

Patients affected by the outcomes of serious traumatic and/or non-traumatic brain injury may show progressive recovery characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical conditions, which are often not completely different, but of differing seriousness. The unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) are syndromes that may characterize progression from the coma state and may be temporary clinical conditions, or in some cases, the final outcome of acute brain injury. The eventual recovery of consciousness is a dynamic process, in constant progress following the acute event. It is undeniable, however, that depending on various clinical (including non-neurological) determinants, positive progress can be strongly affected. While it remains true that the longer the UWS lasts, the less likely the patient is to recover from it, observations of "late recovery" are becoming increasingly frequent in the literature. Accordingly, it is becoming increasingly important to identify those late clinical, non-neurological complications, in particular during the intensive rehabilitation period, that can potentially affect the outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate late recovery from the UWS and MCS in a group of patients admitted to a neurorehabilitation program and to identify prognostic factors that may affect recovery, including late recovery, from the UWS. A retrospective cohort analysis without parallel cohort took place between January 2005 and January 2010, and involved 309 patients with severe brain injury outcomes (with initial GCS scores ≤ 8). With regard to patients emerging from the UWS after 36 months, univariate analysis revealed male gender, young age, a shorter duration of consciousness disorder and the absence of epileptic seizures to be the most important clinical characteristics for transition from UWS to MCS. The other variables considered were not significant: etiology of the coma, CRS-R score upon admittance to the ICU, infection by multidrug-resistant bacteria, and episodes of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity.

The relationship between continence and perineal body tone before and after radical prostatectomy: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Recent preliminary studies showed that tonic-trophic characteristics of the pelvic muscles are related to postoperative male urinary incontinence. The aim of the current study was to test whether perineal body tone (PBT), evaluated using the Beco perineometer (Perineocaliper), is related to urinary continence recovery after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 48 patients who underwent RALP between January and July 2009. Surgical interventions were performed by a single surgeon and patients were evaluated by a single physiotherapist. All patients were taught pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME). PBT was evaluated in each patient preoperatively, as well 30 days and 3 months after surgery. In addition, patients were evaluated with a 24-hr pad-test and the International Consultation on Incontinence-questionnaire (ICI-Q). RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 65.5 years (range 46-63). Twenty-four patients underwent a bilateral nerve-sparing procedure (50%). One-month after surgery, 25 (52.1%) patients were continent while 23 (47.9%) patients were still incontinent. A statistically significant difference in preoperative perineometric measures was observed between continent and incontinent patients (mean 1.36 cm vs. 0.80 cm; P < 0.001). This difference was even more pronounced when comparing postoperative perineometric measures (mean 1.24 cm vs. 0.43 cm; P < 0.001). Evaluation of patients 3 months after surgery showed an increase in perineometric measures (mean increase 0.76 cm). The increase was significantly higher in patients who became continent after 3 months relative to patients who were still incontinent despite PFME (mean perineometric measures 1.45 cm vs. 1.00 cm; P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that urinary continence recovery is related to PBT recovery. Further studies are needed to confirm whether perineometric measures may be used as a predictive tool for the risk-stratification of postoperative UI.

Preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise for early continence after radical prostatectomy: a randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in surgical techniques, urinary incontinence (UI) is not uncommon after radical prostatectomy (RP), and it may dramatically worsen quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: To determine the benefit of starting pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) 30d before RP and of continuing PFME postoperatively for early recovery of continence. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A randomised, prospective study was designed. Men with localised prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent an open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) at our department of urology were included. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomised to start PFME preoperatively and continue postoperatively (active group: A) or to start PFME postoperatively alone (control group: B). MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measure was self-reported continence after surgery. Secondary outcome measures were assessed by degree of UI based on a 24-h pad test and QoL instruments (International Continence Society [ICS] male short form [SF]). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Of 143 men evaluated for the study, 118 were randomised either to start PFME preoperatively and continue postoperatively (group A; n=59) or to start postoperative PFME (group B; n=59). After 1 mo, 44.1% (26 of 59) of patients were continent in group A, while 20.3% (12 of 59) were continent in group B (p=0.018). At 3 mo, 59.3% (35 of 59) and 37.3% (22 of 59) patients were continent in group A and group B, respectively (p=0.028). The ICS male SF mean score showed better results in group A than in group B patients at both 1 mo (14.6 vs 18.3) and 3 mo (8.1 vs 12.2) after RP (p=0.002). In age-adjusted logistic regression analyses, patients who performed preoperative PFME had a 0.41-fold lower risk of being incontinent 1 mo after RP and a 0.38-fold lower risk of being incontinent 3 mo after RP (p≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PFME may improve early continence and QoL outcomes after RP. Further studies are needed to corroborate our results.