For a successful therapy, it’s important to find out the patients’ actual experiences when performing intermittent catheterization (IC). But a lack of research can provide obstacles. Have we heard directly from the patient about the difficulties they face when approaching IC?
A recent study seeks to remedy this neglect in research; it involved a total of 200 adults who had independently been performing IC for at least 6 months across the US.
A significant portion of patients with neurogenic bladder will develop lifelong dependence upon intermittent catheterization (IC) for emptying their bladder. They are often patients with neurogenic diagnoses, such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease.
Studies on intermittent catheterization (IC) with larger samples sizes are rare and this study provides real-world evidence on IC use, which may be used to derive recommendations for improvement of care. This is among the first publications of a 3-year observation period including time before and after initial IC.
Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) with symptoms of constipation and fecal incontinence is a common complication of traumatic spinal cord injury. In a new study, the aim was to identify factors that could predict the recovery of independent bowel function to assist clinicians in their prognosis of bowel function and to guide them to bowel management strategies useful for the patient.
Aihe: bowel dysfunction, bowel management, spinal cord injury (SCI)
People with neurogenic bladder and/or bowel dysfunction often suffer from highly individualized symptoms. It can be difficult to quantify change in an individual’s symptoms using standardized measurement tools, and points to the value of Patient—Centered Outcome Measures.
We are honoured to have been invited to join the International Spinal Cord Injury Society (ISCoS) in the second episode of their webinar series: 'SCI Care: What really matters'.
Aihe: ISCoS, spinal cord injury (SCI)
