The impact of late presentation of posterior urethral valves on bladder and renal function

Purpose: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with late presentation of PUVs, and compared bladder and renal function to that in patients with an early diagnosis of PUVs. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 36 males (mean age at diagnosis 8.8 years, range 5 to 14) with late presentation of PUVs who were treated at our institution between 1986 and 2004. Of these patients 20 had undergone urodynamic evaluation during followup (mean age 10.65 years, range 5 to 23). We chose as controls 19 age matched children with PUVs who were diagnosed and treated before age 5 years and underwent urodynamic evaluation during followup (mean age at urodynamic evaluation 8.52 years, range 6 to 15). Urodynamic parameters were compared between the 2 patient groups. Renal function in the late presenting cases was also compared to controls. Results: The most common symptoms at presentation were diurnal enuresis (17 patients, 47.2%) poor stream (7, 19.4%) and urinary retention (5, 13.9%). Overall, urodynamic bladder abnormalities were detected in 17 of 20 patients (85%), detrusor overactivity in 3 (15%), significant post-void residual in 9 (45%) and bladder capacity greater than expected for age in 9 (45%). No significant difference in bladder capacity, compliance or post-void residual was demonstrated between the late presenting and control groups. Only detrusor overactivity was significantly lower in the late presenting group (p = 0.013). After a mean followup of 67.03 months age specific creatinine levels were increased in 13 of 27 patients (48.1%), including 7 (25.9%) with ESRD. Renal function was significantly impaired in the late presenting group compared to controls (48.1% vs 13.7%, p = 0.001). Conclusions: We found a significantly lower rate of detrusor overactivity (15%) in patients with late presenting PUVs. Comparison of urodynamic parameters between the early and late presenting groups did not reveal any significant difference. This similar pattern of bladder dysfunction, independent of age at relief of obstruction, may indicate a common pathophysiological etiology for bladder dysfunction in all patients with PUVs. Also, renal function was significantly impaired in the late presenting group in this series.