Intermittent colonic exoperistalsis for chronic constipation in spinal cord-injured individuals. A long-term structured patient feedback survey to evaluate home care use.

STUDY DESIGN: Structured patient feedback survey evaluating real-world home care use. OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term effectiveness, tolerability, and satisfaction with the intermittent colonic exoperistalsis (ICE) treatment device MOWOOT in spinal cord-injured (SCI) individuals with chronic constipation. SETTING: Four specialized German hospitals. METHODS: SCI individuals with chronic constipation were invited to use MOWOOT 10-20 min daily and answer a questionnaire about their bowel situation before treatment (feedback 1, F1) and after ≥10 months of use (feedback 2, F2). Collected variables were device use, bowel function effectiveness, chronic constipation symptoms, concomitant use of laxatives and evacuation aids, and satisfaction with bowel function and management, which were compared between time points. At F2, participants reported efficacy, tolerability/side effects, and ease of use. RESULTS: Eleven participants used the device for a mean (SD) of 13.27 (4.03) months. From F1 to F2, mean time per evacuation decreased by 24.5 min (p = 0.0076) and the number of failed attempts to evacuate/week, by 1.05 (p = 0.0354) with a tendency toward increased bowel movements and softer stool consistency, and decreased incomplete bowel movements. Participants experienced decreased difficulty/strain (p = 0.0055), abdominal pain (p = 0.0230), bloating (p = 0.0010), abdominal cramps (p = 0.0019), and spasms (p = 0.0198), without significant changes in the use of laxatives and evacuation aids. Satisfaction with bowel function and management improved (p = 0.0095) and more participants reported being very satisfied/satisfied (p = 0.0300). Most reported tolerability, efficacy, and ease of use as very good/good. CONCLUSION: Long-term in-home ICE treatment improved bowel function and chronic constipation symptoms in SCI individuals, providing clinical benefits to this population. SPONSORSHIP (MOWOOT DEVICES LENDING): 4 M Medical GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany.

[Current aspects of neurogenic dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract in multiple sclerosis]. / Aktuelles zu neurogenen Dysfunktionen des unteren Harntraktes bei Multipler Sklerose.

BACKGROUND: In the clinical management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the challenge is to make an early diagnosis and initiate adequate treatment of neurogenic disorders of the lower urinary tract (NLUTD). Various national guidelines provide practical recommendations which are sometimes discordant. OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple evidence-based algorithm for detecting NLUTD in patients with MS that could be taken as a principle for deriving therapeutic consequences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was initiated as a direct result of two multidisciplinary conferences. The aim was to identify statistically and clinically relevant parameters for the routine diagnosis of NLUTD in patients with MS. Urodynamic abnormalities served as the gold standard. At three subsequent consensus conferences, the results of the study were discussed, a diagnostic algorithm was developed and consensus was reached on a first-line treatment. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The proposed algorithm enables the detection of NLUTD in patients with MS with the help of four statistically significant predictors: 1) the residual urine volume, 2) the number of urinary tract infections (UTI) within the last 6 months, 3) the standardized micturition frequency and 4) the presence/absence of urinary incontinence. The newly developed algorithm has proved to be efficient with the following results: approximately 75% of the patients do not need a urodynamic examination for a first-line treatment decision. In 25% of cases, urodynamic examinations are essential for an adequate treatment decision. Routine assessments include the patient medical history, residual urine volume measurement, a micturition diary and a uroflowmetry (optional).

The Real Daily Need for Incontinence Aids and Appliances in Patients with Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction in a Community Setting in Germany.

PURPOSE: For successful long-term rehabilitation of patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), it is necessary to define the objective requirement for urological aids based on a scientifically validated basis. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study, based on a questionnaire. Data concerning bladder management and daily consumption of urological appliances for patients with NLUTD in a community setting were collected through a standardized survey. RESULTS: Seven hundred and sixty-seven records were analyzed: 543 males, 221 females (N/A = 3). Patients using intermittent catheterization (n= 608) required 5.06 (mean) single-use catheters per day. Out of them, 94 (15.5%) required additional pads (mean: 2.29 per day), 34 patients (5.6%) additionally used pants (mean: 2.55 per day) and 46 patients (7.6%) utilized condom catheters (mean: 3.81 per day) between catheterizations. Among all, 126 patients (16.4%) used pads (mean: 5.03 per day), and 51 patients (6.6%) used pants (mean: 3.03 per day). Women needed both pads (p < 0.0001) and diapers (p = 0.0084) significantly more frequently than men. Eighty-two of the male patients (15.1%) applied condom catheters (mean: 2.8 per day). The target value of the objective daily requirement of incontinence aids for adult patients with NLUTD (based on the upper twofold standard deviation from the mean value) was defined as follows: up to nine single-use catheters, seven condom catheters, nine pads and/or seven pants. A "mixed supply" of different incontinence aids is part of the daily supply for many patients. CONCLUSION: For the first time, these results allow a reasonable regulation of urological aids and appliances based on scientific data for patients with neurogenic bladder.

Treatment outcomes and resource use of patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity receiving botulinum toxin A (BOTOX) therapy in Germany.

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment outcomes and resource consumption of patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) before and after botulinum toxin A (Botox) therapy in Germany. METHODS: In a multi-center, cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study, data of patients with NDO 12 months before and after the first Botox therapy were analyzed. RESULTS: 214 patients (mean age 38 +/- 14.8 years, 145 male, 69 female) with NDO due to spinal cord injury (81%); myelomeningocele (14%), or Multiple Sclerosis (5%) from seven hospitals were included. Mean interval between treatments was 8 months. Following treatment, mean maximum detrusor pressure, maximum cystometric capacity and detrusor compliance improved significantly. Prior to Botox therapy, 68% reported urinary tract infections (UTI), 63% had incontinence episodes, and 58% used incontinence aids. These numbers decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after treatment to 28, 33, and 28%, respectively. In patients using incontinence aids, mean costs per patient decreased from 2euro to 1euro per day, whereas the mean cost of drugs to treat UTIs per patient decreased from 163euro to 80euro per year, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study demonstrating the clinical usefulness of Botox therapy in clinical practice. Successful treatment resulted in lower costs for NDO associated morbidity due to less need for incontinence aids and UTI medication.