Abstract General Information

Title

EVALUATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF HYPOGASTRIC PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction and objective

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can be associated with comorbidities that affect the lives of patients, such as the presence of hypogastric pain. However, the literature provides limited information about this symptom in young individuals with LUTS. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of hypogastric pain in children and adolescents with LUTS, as well as the clinical differences between patients with and without this symptom.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted using electronic medical record data from patients who initiated treatment for lower urinary tract disorders at the Center between 2019-2023. The presence of hypogastric pain and other symptoms was assessed through direct questioning of the patients. These symptoms were analyzed for the presence of urgency, daytime incontinence, polyuria, infrequent urination, stress urinary incontinence, history of urinary tract infection, enuresis, and constipation. Data were considered statistically significant when p<0.05.

Results

A total of 238 patients were included, with 136 (57.1%) females and a median age of 8 (IQR 6-10) years in the sample. Among them, 129 (54.2%) patients were diagnosed with Overactive Bladder, 101 (42.4%) with Bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD), and 8 (3.4%) with Pospoiment Voiding. Of the total, 113 (47.5%) patients reported the presence of hypogastric pain. Among those, 59 (52.2%) had Overactive Bladder, 52 (46%) had BBD, and 2 (1.7%) had Pospoiment Voiding. "Comparing the groups with and without hypogastric pain, patients reporting this pain showed a statistically significant higher frequency of daytime incontinence (p<0.01). There was no difference in the other variables analyzed.

Conclusion

The prevalence of hypogastric pain in children and adolescents with lower urinary tract symptoms was 47.5%, with a significant difference observed between the groups with and without hypogastric pain for daytime incontinence.