CHARACTERIZATION OF URINARY AND BEHAVIORAL FUNCTIONS AFTER SPINAL CORD INJURY: ANALYSIS AND CORRELATION

Abstract

This article aimed to characterize urinary and behavioral functions and establish correlations in individuals after spinal cord injury (SCI). Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of individuals after SCI interviewed with a socio-clinical questionnaire, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Short Form (ICQ-SF) and hospital scale of anxiety and depression. Results: Eighteen individuals after SCI with predominance of thoracic level injury participated. Urinary incontinence (UI) was more frequent (61.12%) than urinary retention (38.88%). All used a urinary catheter with a high frequency of urinary infection episodes.The prevalence of anxiety was 38.88% and of depression was 72.22%. The group with UI and depression presented higher ICQ-SF values ​​(p = 0.04). Conclusion: The impairment of urinary function manifested itself more as failure in the bladder filling process, especially in situations of increased abdominal pressure. Depression was strongly associated with worsening UI.