Lower urinary tract symptoms in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An evaluation in terms of functional level, posture, and muscle strength

• Published in: Neurourology and urodynamics 2024-11, Vol.43 (8), p.2130-2139
• Main Authors: Öztürk, Demet, Karaduman, Aynur Ayşe, Akbayrak, Türkan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body height; Body weight; Children; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Duchenne's muscular dystrophy; Elbow; functional level; lower urinary tract symptoms; Muscle strength; Muscular dystrophy; posture; Quadriceps muscle; Urinary tract; Urogenital system
• ISSN: 0733-2467; 1520-6777; 1520-6777
• DOI: 10.1002/nau.25575

Aim To examine factors associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Methods This cross‐sectional study included 45 individuals diagnosed with DMD between the ages of 5 and 18 years. LUTS were evaluated with the Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Scoring System, functional levels with the Brooke Upper Extremity Functional Classification and the Vignos Scale, lumbar lordosis angle with a bubble inclinometer, pelvic inclination angles with a digital inclinometer, and muscle strength with a hand‐held dynamometer. Results The mean age of the children was calculated as 9.00 ± 3.32 years, body weight as 31.10 ± 12.59 kg, and height as 125.87 ± 18.46 cm. LUTD was detected in 20 children (44.44%). There was an association between high LUTD severity and low strength of the following muscles: bilateral hip flexor (Dominant: r = −0.338, p = 0.023; nondominant: r = −0.411, p = 0.005), quadriceps femoris (Dominant: r = −0.445, p = 0.002; nondominant: r = −0.504, p  0.05). Conclusion To provide the adequate care for bladder health in children with DMD, it is essential to focus on parameters that will increase functionality and independence in this population.