Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from the urological point of view: Assessment of the urinary function in 38 patients

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) includes genetic heterogeneous diseases characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy. There are at least two risk factors for SMA patients to develop urinary dysfunctions: 1) the neural degeneration, that influences the pelvic floor and sphincters; 2) the disabilities that predispose to constipation and urinary incontinence and symptoms. Nevertheless, the true incidence of urological disorders remains unknown. The evaluation of urinary symptoms in SMA patients remains scarcely investigated. The aim of our paper is to assess the association between urological disorders and SMA. We worked out a questionnaire to assess the voiding habits of patients with SMA followed at a single Italian Centre. We collected demographic data and information regarding respiratory, orthopedic and gastrointestinal involvement. We excluded patients