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Quality of Life and Continence in Patients with Spina Bifida

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Abstract

Purpose:

Spina bifida (SB) is the most common congenital cause of incontinence in childhood. This study attempts to determine the relationships between urinary/faecal incontinence, methods of management, and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in people with SB.

Patients and method:

A total of 460 patients (300 adults and 160 adolescents) from six centres in France have taken part in this cross-sectional study. Clinical outcome measures included walking ability, urinary/faecal continence, and medical management. HRQoL was assessed using the SF36 in adults and the VSP in adolescents and their parents. Univariate and multivariate analysis was used to determine the relationships between clinical parameters and HRQoL.

Results:

HRQoL were significantly lower than in the general population. Adult women had significantly lower scores than men, and adolescent females had significantly lower scores for psychological well being. We did not found strong relationship between incontinence and HRQoL in this population. Moreover patients surgically managed for urinary/fecal incontinence did not show significantly higher scores of HRQoL.

Conclusion:

Using generic HRQoL measures, urinary/faecal incontinence and their medical management may not play a determinant role in HRQoL of persons with SB. However many other factors affect HRQoL in these patients. A longitudinal study design is recommended to assess whether incontinence management is associated with improve HRQoL.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Ms MH. Blondin, Ms Dr. Berard, Mr Dr. Vadot, Ms Dr Bernuy, Mr Dr Kocer, Mr Dr Lachanat, Ms Dr Rumeau, Ms␣Dr Tassel, Ms Dr Viehl-Benmeridja, Ms Bertrand, Ms Baudean, Ms Bavy, Ms Moisan, Ms Castellin, Ms Lacape, Ms Jeangirard, the Lorraine Association of Spina Bifida, and the French Fédération of Spina Bifida Association.

The study was conducted with the support of the Clinical Epidemiology Center-Inserm (Institut National en Santé et Recherche Médicale) of Nancy, the Ministry of Health, and the Nancy University Hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service de Chirurgie Infantile, Hôpital d’Enfants, CHU de Nancy, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France

    J.L. Lemelle & M. Schmitt

  2. EA 3444 – Service d’Epidémiologie et Evaluations cliniques, Hôpital Marin – CHU de Nancy, Nancy, France

    J.L. Lemelle & F. Guillemin

  3. Service de Chirurgie Infantile, Hôpital Saint Jacques – CHU Besançon, Besancon, France

    D. Aubert

  4. Service de Chirurgie Infantile, Hôpital d’Enfants La Timone – CHU de Marseille, Marseille, France

    J.M. Guys

  5. Service de chirurgie infantile, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France

    H. Lottmann & S. Lortat-Jacob

  6. Service de chirurgie infantile, Hôpital Debrousse – CHU de Lyon, Lyon, France

    P. Mouriquand

  7. Service d’urologie, Hôpital Henry Gabriel – CHU de Lyon, Lyon, France

    A. Ruffion

  8. Service de chirurgie infantile, Hôpital d’Enfants – CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France

    J. Moscovici

  9. Department of Paediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Nancy University School of Medicine, Allée du Morvan, 54 511, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France

    J.L. Lemelle & M. Schmitt

Authors
  1. J.L. Lemelle
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  2. F. Guillemin
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  3. D. Aubert
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  4. J.M. Guys
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  5. H. Lottmann
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  6. S. Lortat-Jacob
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  7. P. Mouriquand
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  8. A. Ruffion
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  9. J. Moscovici
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  10. M. Schmitt
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Correspondence to J.L. Lemelle.

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Lemelle, J., Guillemin, F., Aubert, D. et al. Quality of Life and Continence in Patients with Spina Bifida. Qual Life Res 15, 1481–1492 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-006-0032-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-006-0032-x

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