Factors Influencing Bladder Stone Formation in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

• Published in: The journal of spinal cord medicine 2004-01, Vol.27 (3), p.252-254
• Main Authors: Favazza, Terry, Midha, Meena, Martin, Jessicca, Grob, Mayer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bladder calculi; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevention; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries - complications; Urinary Bladder Calculi - etiology; Urinary Catheterization - adverse effects; Urinary Tract Infections - complications
• ISSN: 1079-0268; 2045-7723
• DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2004.11753756

Objective: Bladder stones that form in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause significant morbidity. This study sought dto analyze factors associated withbladder stone formation to determine which patients might be at increased risk to developbladder stones. Methods: A review of 56 SCI patients treated for bladder calculi over a 10-year period at a single institution was performed. These patients were compared with a control population of general SCI patients known tobe stone free. The factors compared were patient age, duration of injury, Ievei of injury, completeness of injury, method of bladder management, and the presence of documentedurinary tract infections with urease -producing organisms. Results: All patients with stones were male and had a median age of 5 8.5years. The median Ievei of injury was C6, the median time since injury was 21 years, 66% had complete injuries, 68% managed their bladders with in dwelling cathetersor suprapubic tubes,and 83% had a history of infections with urease-producing organisms. When compared with the control group, patients forming bladder stones were older (P = 0 .03), were more likely to have in dwelling catheters (P < 0.0001 ), had a history of infections with urease-producing organisms (P = 0 .04), and had complete injuries(P= 0 .018). Conclusion: This information can be used to identify patients who have anincreased risk of bladder stones and measures can betaken to reduce their incidence and morbidity.