Use of the dysfunctional voiding symptom score to predict resolution of vesicoureteral reflux in children with voiding dysfunction

Purpose: Dysfunctional voiding influences the presence and persistence of vesicoureteral reflux. We used a standardized published instrument, the dysfunctional voiding symptom score, to evaluate the association of dysfunctional voiding with vesicoureteral reflux. We report its use for monitoring improvement in and resolution of vesicoureteral reflux. Materials and Methods: In 1998, 114 patients with dysfunctional voiding were placed on behavioral modification. Of 58 patients (51%) who presented with urinary tract infection 27 (47%) had abnormal voiding cystourethrography, including 19 with reflux only. Baseline and followup dysfunctional voiding symptom score was determined in these 19 patients, who underwent prospective observational therapy and behavioral modification. We correlated the dysfunctional voiding symptom score with the evolution of vesicoureteral reflux. Results: Vesicoureteral reflux was present in 19 of the 58 patients (33%) with dysfunctional voiding and urinary tract infection. All affected patients were female with a mean age of 6.7 years and a mean followup of 24 months. Reflux grade in the 24 units was I to IV in 7, 9, 7 and 1, respectively. Mean dysfunctional voiding symptom score was 13.3 in patients with normal voiding cystourethrography and 11.7 in the vesicoureteral reflux group (p = 0.6). Reflux resolved in 3, 2 and 2 cases of grades I, II and III disease, respectively, while improvement (decrease of 2 or more grades) was noted in 4. Initial dysfunctional voiding symptom score in these 11 cases decreased from a mean of 9.6 (range 4 to 18) to 3.7 (range 0 to 12, p = 0.01). The 8 patients with persistent reflux had an initial dysfunctional voiding symptom score of 14.4 (range 4 to 21), which decreased to 11.1 (range 1 to 19, p = 0.18). Conclusions: A significant decrease in the dysfunctional voiding symptom score appears to confirm compliance with behavioral modification and predicts ultimate reflux resolution. The dysfunctional voiding symptom score provides a noninvasive means of monitoring compliance with therapy during expectant treatment of patients with vesicoureteral reflux.