The effects of repeated filling cystometries on cystometric variables in spinal cord-injured patients with overactive detrusor, who utilize different type of urine drainage methods

Study design: Cross-sectional study. Objectives: Our aim was to compare the effects of repeated cystometric measurements in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) who use indwelling catheters (IDC) or intermittent catheterization (IC). Setting: Turkey. Methods: A total of 20 SCI patients with NDO, 9 patients on IC and 11 on IDC for at least two consecutive months were included. After emptying the bladder, first involuntary detrusor contraction volume (1stIDCV), cystometric bladder capacity (CC), bladder compliance and maximum detrusor pressure (MP det ) were assessed by filling it with sterile physiological saline at room temperature at a continuous rate of 30 ml min −1 . The bladder was re-emptied after the process and a second filling cystometry was performed in the same way. Results: When all study population were taken into account, 1stIDCV and CC measures were significantly increased in the second cystometry compared with the first cystometry ( P =0.001 and P =0.022, respectively), whereas there was no statistically significant difference on bladder compliance and MP det measures between the first and the repeated cystometry. There was no statistically significant difference on 1stIDCV, CC and bladder compliance measures between the first and the repeated cystometries for IC group, whereas there was statistically significant increase on these measures in the IDC group ( P =0.003, P =0.008 and P =0.022, respectively). In addition there was no statistically significant difference on MP det measures between the first and the repeated cystometries for both the urine drainage methods. When IC and IDC groups were compared according to mean values of differences in 1stIDCV, CC and bladder compliance measures between the two cystometries, the IDC group had a statistically significant increase in all parameters when compared with the IC group in the second cystometry performed ( P =0.001, P =0.003 and P =0.048, respectively). Conclusion: Repeated cystometric measurements in SCI patients with NDO lead to an increase in 1stIDCV and CC. However, when the type of urine drainage method is taken into account, although repeated filling cystometry leads to an increase in 1stIDCV, MCC and bladder compliance in patients with IDC, it does not cause a difference in patients on IC.