Quantifying demographic, urological and behavioral characteristics of children with lower urinary tract symptoms

Abstract Objective This project examines the voiding and behavioral characteristics of children referred to a specialty voiding clinic, including the impact of incontinence on the child and family. Patients and methods A total of 351 new patients (aged 5–17 years) referred to our specialty voiding clinic completed background information, including demographics and medical history, a standardized voiding questionnaire, school history, and questions about child and family quality of life, prior to their first appointment. Results Patients are primarily female (53%) and Caucasian (70%) with a mean age of 9.5 years (range 5–17; SD = 3.5). Of the patients, 25% were diagnosed with a mental or behavioral health problem. Mean urological symptom score was 12 (range 0–29). Higher symptom scores are associated with younger age, ethnic minority status, a mental health diagnosis, being on psychotropic medications, and a poor child and family quality of life. Families of children who are wet day and night reported a poorer quality of life as compared to the families of children who were daytime wetters or bedwetters only. Conclusion Symptom scores are associated with type of incontinence, social and quality of life variables. Collecting this baseline data will enable ongoing monitoring of progress for these complex patients.