The Journal of the American Paraplegia Society
-
J Am Paraplegia Soc · Jul 1992
ReviewThe prevention and management of urinary tract infections among people with spinal cord injuries. National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Consensus Statement. January 27-29, 1992.
The Urinary Tract Infection Consensus Conference brought together researchers, clinicians, and consumers to arrive at consensus on the best practices for preventing and treating urinary tract infections in people with spinal cord injuries; the risk factors and diagnostic studies that should be done; indications for antibiotic use; appropriate follow-up management; and needed future research. Urinary tract infection (UTI) was defined as bacteriuria (102 bacteria/ml of urine) with tissue invasion and resultant tissue response with signs and/or symptoms. Asymptomatic bacteriuria represents colonization of the urinary tract without symptoms or signs. ⋯ A common concern among people with spinal cord injuries is that physicians will alter bladder management programs without regard to lifestyle needs. Social/vocational flexibility may be more important to them than a state-of-the-art bladder management program. Future research should focus on obtaining more representative samples and investigate psycho-social-vocational implications as well as additional clinical-medical factors.
-
Autonomic hyperreflexia occurs in up to 85 percent of individuals with spinal cord injuries above the major splanchnic sympathetic outflow. In such cases, paroxysmal reflex sympathetic activity develops in response to noxious stimuli below the level of the neurologic lesion. The clinical features of autonomic hyperreflexia are due largely to reflex sympathetic adrenergic and cholinergic discharges with dysfunctional supraspinal regulatory control. ⋯ Although a variety of stimuli can provoke autonomic responses of variable magnitudes, bladder and bowel distention continue to account for most episodes. Removal of the offending stimulus is important to restoring the autonomic nervous system to its baseline activity. Current understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical features, and medical management of this fascinating but potentially serious complication of spinal cord injury are reviewed.