Bowel bladder dysfunction in control children in a pediatric urology office.

INTRODUCTION: Bowel bladder dysfunction (BBD) is common in children. Risk factors for BBD include age, gender, obesity, and behavioral issues such as ADHD. We investigated the modified Swedish Bowel-Bladder questionnaire as a sensitive indicator of BBD in healthy children. OBJECTIVES: We tested the usefulness of the Swedish Bowel-Bladder Questionnaire (BBQ) as an indicator of BBD in children not complaining of bowel/bladder dysfunction at the time of their visit to a pediatric urologist. Our secondary aim was to identify correlations between BBQ scores and risk factors such as gender, BMI, and ADHD. STUDY DESIGN: All families in our Pediatric Urology practice with patients >30 months old who were reportedly toilet trained were provided the Swedish BBQ. Total score as well as sub-scores for storage, emptying, and constipation were prospectively collected. Presenting diagnosis, gender, BMI, and ADHD history were collected. BBQ scores for patients with voiding dysfunction were compared to controls: a) those with genital problems (e.g. hydrocele/undescended testes), b) those with CAKUT (congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract). BBQ scores were analyzed as a continuous variable vs the potential risk factors (ADHD, obesity, age, and gender) using univariable/multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: The median BBQ score for the 328 control patients (95 CAKUT and 233 genital) was 2.25 with an IQR: 1 to 6. In contrast, the median BBQ was higher for those with possible voiding dysfunction; n = 282; 9 with an IQR: 5 to 15). Total BBQ score exceeded 6 in 16% (52/328) of control patients. On multivariable analysis, age-adjusted total BBQ scores increased with ADHD in our controls (p = 0.03) but were unaffected by gender or BMI. On multivariable analysis of the voiding dysfunction group, total BBQ scores similarly decreased with age (p < 0.001) and increased with ADHD (p < 0.001) and were affected by gender (p = 0.024). BMI percentile had no significant effect in either cohort. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The Swedish BBQ was used in a U.S population and demonstrated trends towards increased voiding dysfunction associated with younger age, female gender, and ADHD. We learned that voiding dysfunction in children with ADHD is not associated with constipation and improves over time. Additionally, 16% of children with genital or urinary abnormalities and no voiding complaints have noticeable BBD uncovered by the BBQ. Hence, we conclude that the Swedish BBQ is a sensitive indicator of BBD even in children not complaining of those problems.

Early experience with shared medical appointments for penile problems.

We examined the use of shared medical appointments (SMA) for educating and counseling children with penile problems. Forty-eight families were seen over 4 months with 21 participating in the SMA group and 27 in the traditional group. Using a questionnaire to assess adequacy of education, there was no difference in the overall scores between groups with a mean of 6.64/7 in the SMA and 6.56/7 in the traditional setting. With the increasing demands on providers, an SMA offers a solution to caring for more patients with penile problems in an efficient manner without impacting family education and satisfaction.

Children's anxious reactions to an invasive medical procedure: The role of medical and non-medical fears.

This study investigated the relationship of medical and non-medical fears to children's anxiety, pain, and distress during an invasive medical procedure, the voiding cystourethrogram. Parents of 34 children completed the Fear Survey Schedule-II prior to their child's procedure. Child distress behaviors during the procedure were audiotaped and coded using the Child-Adult Medical Procedure Interaction Scale-Revised. Ratings of child procedural anxiety and pain were obtained from children, parents, and examining technologists within minutes following the procedure. Associations were observed between medical fears, procedural anxiety (parent and staff reports), and coded distress behaviors. Findings may inform preparation efforts to reduce anxiety around invasive medical procedures.

Is parental anxiety and coping associated with girls' distress during a VCUG? Preliminary findings.

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between parental anxiety/coping strategies and girls' distress during VCUGs. METHODS: Parents of 32 girls (age 4-10, mean 5.8 years) completed a trait anxiety measure and a measure of parental reactions to children's distress. Post procedure, children, parents and radiology staff rated the level of anxiety, fear, pain and discomfort. RESULTS: Trends indicated that parents who reported increased anxiety rated their children as experiencing increased distress (r = 0.27, p = 0.071), similarly for medical staff ratings (r = 0.28, p = 0.061). Parents with lower trait anxiety scores reported using more emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies (r = -0.37 and r = -0.40, p < 0.05, respectively). These were related to children experiencing less procedural distress (r = -0.30, p = 0.054; r = -0.33, p = 0.037, respectively) and parents rated as less anxious by staff (r = -0.40, p = 0.014; r = -0.31, p = 0.047, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There was a trend toward parental anxiety being related to their child's distress during VCUG. Parental coping strategies resulted in less distress among children and parents. Teaching coping techniques might obviate the need for sedation and help children deal with future stressors.

Bladder volume on voiding cystourethrogram correlates with indications and results in male infants.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the bladder size on the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) might be a proxy for voiding abnormalities. Voiding abnormalities have been implicated in the development of hydronephrosis, reflux, and urinary tract infections. METHODS: We evaluated the volume of contrast infused for 617 consecutive VCUGs. We compared the actual volume infused during the VCUG to the expected bladder capacity. We correlated the percentage of predicted capacity with (a) the reason for the VCUG; (b) the VCUG results; (c) the patient's sex; and (d) their body mass index. We analyzed the results for the entire group, as well as by age, sex, reflux grade, and body mass index. We also examined the findings from those patients undergoing consecutive studies. RESULTS: The bladder size on the VCUG was greater than predicted (1.74 times predicted). This was particularly true for patients <2 years old (2.22 vs 1.41 times predicted; P < .001) and for boys (2.01 vs 1.63 times predicted; P < .001). Both the reason for the VCUG (more prenatal patients with hydronephrosis than others; P < .001) and the VCUG findings (new reflux found more than others) had a relationship with the bladder size on the VCUG (P < .001). The body mass index did not correlate with the bladder size on the VCUG. Of the 87 patients undergoing 2 studies, the 53 patients with either no or improved reflux on the second study tended to have a larger than predicted bladder size on the VCUG (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: The bladder volume on the VCUG was greater than predicted for male infants with prenatal hydronephrosis and reflux. In other groups, the marked variation within groups prevented the use of the bladder volume on the VCUG as a proxy for voiding dysfunction.

Variations in practice patterns regarding constipation in children with urinary tract infections.

Studies suggest a correlation between constipation and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. Diagnoses and treatment of constipation are not clear. This clinical practice was documented in urology offices. Variation noted suggests more research is needed for evidence-based practice in this population.

The effects of anticholinergic drugs on attention span and short-term memory skills in children.

AIMS: Studies have shown cognitive problems in adults treated with anticholinergics. It is unclear if children are also susceptible to anticholinergic adverse effects. This study evaluates the effects of long-acting oxybutynin and tolterodine on short-term memory and attention in children with urgency and urge incontinence. METHODS: Children with urgency or urge incontinence were recruited to take part in a prospective, randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trial using long-acting oxybutynin or tolterodine. Patients underwent a baseline test of their memory/recall ability and attention span using a standardized developmental/neuropsychological assessment tool. They were then randomized to either medication or placebo with retesting in 2 weeks, at which time they were crossed. They were retested after the second 2 weeks. RESULTS: Fourteen children (9 boys and 5 girls), ranging in age from 5 to 11 (M = 7.7) participated in the study. Attention and memory scores increased over time in all children, however, the analyses showed no significant negative effects of anticholinergic medications on attention or memory. Indeed, though not statistically significant, trends were for improvement in test scores in both areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results in a double blinded cross-over trial suggest that long-acting oxybutynin and tolterodine do not have a deleterious effect on children's attention and memory. Other cognitive functions may be affected.

The effect of obesity on treatment efficacy in children with nocturnal enuresis and voiding dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Obesity continues to be a leading public health concern in the United States. Our previous studies have suggested that there is a high rate of obesity in children with dysfunctional voiding, especially nocturnal enuresis. We investigated the correlation between body mass index and the efficacy of treatment in obese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively records from patients seen with a diagnosis of nocturnal enuresis or dysfunctional voiding between January 2004 and July 2005. Bladder and bowel symptoms and urinary diary data were evaluated, and body mass index percentile was determined. Response to treatment was evaluated and correlated with body mass index percentile. RESULTS: We evaluated 250 children, of whom 96 (38%) had nocturnal enuresis and 154 (62%) had dysfunctional voiding. Body mass index was normal in about half of the patients, and half were above the 85th percentile for body mass index. Patients with a body mass index above the 85th percentile had a reduced response to therapy. After treatment patients with a normal body mass index had a lower nocturnal accident frequency than those above the 85th percentile. Similarly, in those with voiding dysfunction the response rate was 65% in association with a normal body mass index vs 35% with a high body mass index. Furthermore, patients with a normal body mass index had a significantly higher rate of completing a urinary diary compared to those with a high body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity correlates with a lower voiding diary completion rate and lower efficacy of treatment in children with nocturnal enuresis or dysfunctional voiding.

The association of constipation with childhood urinary tract infections.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have suggested a correlation between constipation and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. However, historical information about constipation may be unreliable and the relationship between a history of constipation and radiographic findings of fecal load is unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 133 children undergoing an abdominal X-ray were evaluated. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire on bowel habits. Three observers using a documented objective scoring system evaluated plain films of the abdomen. The symptom and radiographic scores were compared with the history and each other. RESULTS: Out of the 133 children, 100 had documented previous UTIs and 33 did not. Children with prior UTIs had significantly more symptoms of constipation than those without prior UTIs (p<0.02). Children with a history of UTIs tended to have more fecal loading on radiographic studies than those without, although this difference was not statistically significant (p<0.11). When only children of >3 years old are evaluated, the trends persist, but neither were statistically significant (p<0.11 and 0.56, respectively). There was a poor correlation between the symptoms of constipation and fecal load on abdominal X-rays (correlation coefficient of 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the concept that children with UTIs have a higher rate of constipation, especially by history. However, diagnosing constipation in individual patients is difficult. Not only is there a poor correlation between history and radiographic findings of constipation in any individual patient, but at this time there is no gold standard.