There is no doubt that physical disability is of central concern for a person with spinal cord injury. Recent research however highlights that less evident problems are more common, such as bowel and bladder issues.
This might be the reason why many treatment forms and research studies are addressing these problems.
Two recently published studies spread some light into this area and present result on cost-effective bladder treatment forms and how bowel physiology is affected from nerve damage.
You will find a summary from these articles in this blog post!
Factors Affecting Quality of Life Among Spinal Cord Injury Patients in Korea
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5209570/
Author and Origin
Lee JS, Kim SW, Jee SH, Kim JC, Choi JB, Cho SY, Kim JH; Korea Spinal Cord Injury Association. Korea
Summary
Observational survey of 299 patients with spinal cord injury investigating factors affecting their quality of life.
Conclusions
Urinary problems such as incontinence and infections were commonly reported, and identi ed as areas for improvement. 67% used intermittent catheterization and 63% voiding-related medications.
Comments
Survey verifying that urological and bowel problems are common in people with spinal cord injury, and that they cause trouble in addition to the patients’ physical disability. Open access.
[Medico-economic evaluation of urological cares of spinal cord injured patients: A review]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27988174
Author and Origin
Guillot-Tantay C, Chartier-Kastler E, Manach Q, Perrouin-Verbe MA, Denys P, Phé V. France
Summary
Cost-effectiveness analysis of anticholinergic drugs and Botox for treatment of neurogenic overactive bladder secondary to spinal cord injury.
Conclusions
The anticholinergic drug Solifenacin and botulinum toxin A appeared to be the most cost-effective treatments.
Comments
Cost-effectiveness analysis showing evidence supporting the use of speci c anticholinergic drugs and Botox in treatment of overactive bladder after spinal cord injury. [Article in French].
The enteric nervous system and the musculature of the colon are altered in patients with spina bifda and spinal cord injury
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28062917
Author and Origin
den Braber-Ymker M, Lammens M, van Putten M, Nagtegaal I. The Netherlands.
Summary
This study investigates histological alterations of the neuromuscular apparatus in the colon following spina bifida (SB) or spinal cord injury (SCI).
Conclusions
Impaired extrinsic innervation affects neuromuscular structures which may contribute to decreased bowel motility. Also, nerve fiber density was decreased in the symptomatic SB and SCI groups with major motility problems.
Comments
Basic histological research of the effect on neuromuscular structure from loss of innervation of the colon.
This blog post is an extract from the Science Alert from January 2017 (76040-USX-1701)
