Effects of botulinum toxin A injections in spinal cord injury patients with detrusor overactivity and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia.

[OBJECTIVE] To evaluate the safety and effect of botulinum toxin A injection in the detrusor and external urethral sphincter in male patients with detrusor overactivity (DO) and detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD) secondary to spinal cord injury.

[METHODS] A multicentre trial was conducted from June 2012 to August 2015. A total of 65 spinal cord injury patients with DO and DESD participated in the study. Of these, 59 received 200 U botulinum toxin Aintradetrusor and 100 U external urethral sphincter injections. The effective outcomes included maximum detrusor pressure at first DO and DESD, VDO-DESD, maximum urethral closure pressure, duration of first DO and DESD, Incontinence-Specific Quality-of-Life Instrument, voiding volume, urinary incontinence episodes and complete dryness. Adverse events were recorded.

[RESULTS] All patients experienced a significant mean reduction in PdetmaxDO -DESD (46.60%), maximum urethral closure pressure (29.61%), duration of first DO and DESD (42.93%) and a significant mean increase in VDO-DESD (38.11%) 12-weeks post-injection. Significant (p < 0.001) improvement in mean Incontinence-Specific Quality-of-Life Instrument, voiding volume, urinary incontinence episodes and complete dryness were found in all patients at 2 weeks and were sustained at 8 weeks and 16 weeks.

[CONCLUSION] Botulinum toxin A injection in the detrusor and external urethral sphincter is an effective treatment to protect the upper urinary tract and improve quality of life for patients with DO and DESD secondary to spinal cord injury.