SCOTTSDALE, AZ USA (UroToday.com) - This retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the adequacy of urologic surveillance in a population of adult patients with myelomeningocele (MMC) and to outline the prevalence and risk factors for medical complications.
Data was obtained from a 5% sample of Medicare administrative data from 2007–2010. The authors used the Paralyzed Veterans of America screening guideline to define the minimum adequacy of surveillance: serum creatinine, upper urinary tract imaging, and a urologist visit within a 2-year period. Complications were collected from ICD-9 codes. 
Results were reported on 825 MMC patients who were predominantly Caucasian (85.1%), female (61.3%) with mean age of 51. 61.3% received some form of neurogenic bladder surveillance, although only 33% of the patients met the minimum acceptable criteria for adequacy. Only 44% had visited a urologist within two years. Most complications were mild and occurred in only 27.6% of patients. Moderate (17%) and severe (6.6%) complications were observed in a smaller number of patients. It was not surprising that the most common complication was acute or recurrent cystitis (16.4%). Other complications included pressure ulcers (7.1%), chronic kidney disease (4.4%), and kidney infection (3.7%). Risk factors for increased complications included younger patient age and male gender.
This is another study that indicates the need for improved urologic surveillance in susceptible, high-risk populations.
Presented by Y. Santiago-Lastra, A. P. Cameron, J. Lai, C. Saigal, and J. Q. Clemens at the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) Winter Meeting - February 24 - 28, 2015 - JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa - Scottsdale, AZ USA
Reported by Diane K. Newman, DNP, FAAN, BCB-PMD, medical writer for UroToday.com.