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Incontinence and Quality of Life in Children With Spina Bifida
Sponsor: Indiana University
Summary
This study aims to develop an innovative, interactive tool for joint use by spina bifida patients and their urologists to identify patients interested in addressing their urinary and fecal incontinence and establish continence goal(s) they would like to achieve. To date, no such tool exists for use by spina bifida patients or urologists. This represents a major paradigm shift in the urologic care of pediatric SB patients. It will give children and families a voice in setting their personal goals for urinary and fecal incontinence, rather than relying on physicians' traditional clinical targets (e.g., absence of urinary incontinence, 4-hour dry interval). These traditional views fail to reflect the full patient experience of their ailment by underestimating symptoms and prioritizing only the most severe. This study represents the first time that such a process will be formalized before initiating urological therapy in children with SB (Aim 2). Additionally, this tool may help rule out interventions with a low chance of achieving desired goals and allow for a recalibration of unrealistic goals. The app will be useful for any child, regardless of urinary and fecal incontinence treatment history or underlying bladder pathology, as it will help describe personalized clinical treatment goals based on urinary incontinence, a characteristic all these patients share. This study will also capture the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impact of urinary and fecal incontinence improvement regardless of the treatment, whether behavioral, medical or surgical, many of which are available to patients regardless of age. A systematic therapeutic goal-setting tool will help in bringing precision medicine to the SB population.
Official title: A Patient-centered Approach to Urinary Incontinence and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Spina Bifida
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
8 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
67
Start Date
2019-12-01
Completion Date
2026-03-15
Last Updated
2025-10-01
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Phase One: Exploration
Spina Bifida patients from the pediatric urology clinic at Riley Hospital and their caregivers will participate in discussions of UI goals. These patients will self report their experiences and perspectives using a "Day in the Life" diary tool-kit.
Phase Two: Creation
Patients, caregivers and providers will work to create a goal setting tool to help patients and physicians appropriately address the issue of UI in patients with spina bifida.
Phase Three: Reflection
This is a validation step to test whether the goal-setting tool is widely applicable and functional in a clinic setting. There will be cognitive interviews after the tool is completed to gather patient impressions.
Aim 3
This will be a large scale validation of the app, with assignment to standard care for the first year of enrollment.
Locations (1)
Riley Hospital for Children
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States