BACKGROUND

An association has been found between lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and emotional and behavioral problems, particularly in cases of urinary incontinence. Other associated symptoms and the coexistence of functional constipation require further investigation.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether emotional and behavioral problems are more common in children and adolescents with LUTD.

STUDY DESIGN

A multicenter, cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in public places. Parents answered questions on urinary and psychological symptoms in their children aged 5-14 years. Children/adolescents with neurological problems or anatomical urinary tract abnormalities were excluded. The Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System was used for assessing urinary symptoms, the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for evaluating bowel symptoms, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for evaluating emotional and behavioral problems.

RESULTS

Of the 806 children/adolescents included, 53% were female. The mean age was 9.1 ± 2.7 years. The prevalence of LUTD was 16.4%. Overall, 26.2% had abnormal scores in the overall SDQ scale, 29.2% in the emotional problems subscale, and 30% in the conduct problems subscale. Of the children with LUTD, 40.5% screened positive for emotional/behavioral problems, with a significant association being found for the overall SDQ scale (P < 0.001) and for the emotional problems (P < 0.001), conduct problems (P < 0.001), and hyperactivity (P = 0.037) subscales. Urinary urgency, urinary incontinence, and voiding postponement were significantly associated with a greater prevalence of abnormalities in the overall SDQ score (P = 0.05; P = 0.004, and P = 0.012, respectively). Bladder and bowel dysfunction was an aggravator of emotional and behavioral problems, with more intense symptoms, both in the overall SDQ scale and in the subscales. In the multivariate analysis, the factors independently associated with the presence of emotional and behavioral problems were LUTD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91), constipation (OR = 1.7), studying in a government-funded school (OR = 2.2), and poor education of the head of the family (OR = 1.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Children and adolescents with LUTD have more emotional and behavioral problems, with bladder and bowel dysfunction being an aggravating factor for this association.