Urodynamic evaluation of neurogenic bladder in patients with spinal cord injury within 6 months post-injury: a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

• DOI: 10.1038/s41393-025-01074-0
• Publication Date: 2025-03-25T00:20:43Z
• Authors: Onyoo Kim; Lyekyung An; Byung Chan Lee

Abstract

Study Design Retrospective cross-sectional survey of Korean patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) within 6 months post-injury.

Objectives To evaluate urodynamic parameters and identify unfavorable urodynamic findings in patients with neurogenic bladder due to SCI during the acute to subacute stages of the disease based on the post-injury time interval.

Setting National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea.

Methods Data from urodynamic tests performed on individuals with SCI within 6 months post-injury were collected. Based on the time interval from injury to testing, the recruited patients were divided into three groups: 0–90 days, 91–135 days, and 136–180 days. Based on these groups, urodynamic test parameters and incidence of high-risk findings (high detrusor pressure exceeding 40 cmH2O during the filling phase, low compliance of the bladder, and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia [DSD]) and unfavorable urodynamic findings (detrusor overactivity [DO], underactive or acontractile bladder) were compared.

Results Analysis of urodynamic study (UDS) findings in 191 individuals with acute to subacute SCI, revealed that unfavorable urodynamic findings were observed within 3 months after injury in both complete and incomplete SCI. The UDS test results and incidence of unfavorable outcomes based on the interval between injury and examination showed no significant statistical differences over time.

Conclusions The urodynamics of individuals with SCI suggest that high-risk or unfavorable urodynamic results are common in the acute to subacute stages of SCI.