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Knowledge Gaps in Urologic Care of Female Spinal Cord Injury Patients

  • Female Urology (L Cox, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We highlight the substantial gaps in knowledge on urologic care of female spinal cord injury (SCI) patients.

Recent Findings

Males account for approximately 80% of people living with SCI in developed nations. Although there is a robust body of literature in some aspects of urologic care of individuals with SCI, such as treatments for neurogenic detrusor overactivity, there are relatively few studies focusing specifically on females. There are also few studies focusing on other aspects of urologic care of women with SCI such as sexual dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, and bladder cancer. Established guidelines for bladder management exist, generally recommending intermittent catheterization, but the fact remains that a substantial number of women with SCI utilize indwelling catheters for bladder management. There remains a paucity of literature using patient-reported measures regarding both outcomes and experiences of urologic management in the SCI population.

Summary

Bladder management is challenging for many women with SCI. There are few studies on other urologic concerns in women with SCI.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Correspondence to Patrick J. Shenot.

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Seth Teplitsky and Alana Murphy each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Patrick J. Shenot reports a grant from Ipsen and consulting fees from Merck.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Teplitsky, S., Murphy, A. & Shenot, P.J. Knowledge Gaps in Urologic Care of Female Spinal Cord Injury Patients. Curr Urol Rep 20, 21 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-019-0884-6

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