Two recent publications highlight the high frequency of lower urinary tract symptoms in various neuromuscular diseases and their major impact on daily life. The first reports the results of a Turkish study of 45 boys aged between 5 and 18 suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy:
- urinary problems were present in 86.6% of them (strategies for holding back, urinary urgency, incontinence, etc.)
- with a significant negative impact on independence and quality of life.
The second article sets out the results of the Danish national HAP-PEE survey of 692 girls and women (aged 12 to 89) with various neuromuscular diseases, the majority of whom (79%) were ambulant. Outside the home:
- 39% considered that going to the toilet was a problem,
- 43% restricted their water intake,
- 61% reduce the frequency of their urination.
As a result, 17% suffer from recurrent cystitis. What’s more, a third of respondents felt that urinary difficulties had an impact on their social life. Yet only 5% had been referred to a neuro-urologist.
The authors of the two publications remind doctors of the importance of regularly raising the subject during neuromuscular consultations, including with young ambulant patients, both boys and girls.
