SCOTTSDALE, AZ USA (UroToday.com) - This study used linked administrative data from the province of Ontario, Canada on urologic follow up of traumatic spinal cord injured (TSCI) patients. Dr. Welk noted that guidelines recommend these patients should have regular urologic follow-up. The study evaluated the actual frequency of urologic investigations (urodynamics, cystoscopy, and renal imaging) in this group of patients.
All TSCI patients discharged from a rehabilitation hospital between 2002–2012 and who had a minimum of one-year of follow-up were included. Specific physician billing codes from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan were used to measure outcomes. 1 551 TSCI patients were identified, median follow-up was 5.0 years, 74% were male, and the mean age was 48
Sixty-six percent of patients (1022/1551) were seen by a urologist a median of 0.7 years after SCI.
- Urodynamics were carried out at least once in 50% of TSCI patients (1 and 3 year rate for initial urodynamic studies was 41% and 48%, respectively).
- Cystoscopy was carried out at least once in 48% of patients (1 and 3 year rate for initial cystoscopy was 34% and 43%, respectively).
- Renal imaging was carried out at least once in 80% of patients, (1 and 3 year rate for initial renal imaging was 61% and 77%, respectively).
It was concluded that renal imaging is commonly carried out at least once after a TSCI, but only about half of TSCI patients undergo urodynamics or cystoscopy.
Presented by B. Welk 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.