BACKGROUND:

Neurogenic bladder is a common disorder in patients with spinal cord injury. Its effects are devastating, profoundly impacting the quality of life of those patients.

AIM:

To determine the effect of botulinum toxin application on the quality of life of patients with spinal cord injury and neurogenic bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A descriptive, prospective analysis was conducted on patients with spinal cord injury, high pressure neurogenic bladder, and vesicosphincter dyssynergia corroborated through urodynamic study. A questionnaire was applied before botulinum toxin application, and again, one and three months after application, covering social, occupational, psychologic, and functional aspects. Urodynamic study was performed at a minimum of 3 months after botulinum toxin application.

RESULTS:

Sixteen patients with spinal cord injury and neurogenic bladder were enrolled in the study. There were statistically significant changes in the questionnaire parameters evaluating quality of life at one and three months after the procedure, compared with the preapplication results. All patients had an increase in bladder capacity (20-80 mL), regardless of patient age, sex, or time with spinal cord injury. Patients with a lower bladder capacity before botulinum toxin application had a higher increase in bladder capacity in the control urodynamic study.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intravesical botulinum toxin application improves the quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury and neurogenic bladder, reducing chronic urologic complications, in addition to being a procedure with low morbidity and mortality.

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