Analysis of pain perception associated with urodynamic testing in children over 3 years old

Objective To measure the tolerance of urodynamic testing (UDT) in the pediatric patient by means of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). To analyze which clinical and UDT-related variables influence pain perception. Material and methods. Cross-sectional study of 139 pediatric patients undergoing UDT (December 2013 - May 2018). Inclusion criteria: understanding and expressing their experience after UDT (preschool and school age). No adolescents were included. Measurement instrument Visual Analog Scale (0−10). Other clinical and UDT-associated variables were obtained. Statistical analysis: Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis (rs). Multivariate analysis through ordinal logistic regression. Significance p Results Mean age 7.7 years (SD 2.4), median VAS score, 2 (2–6). In 41% (n = 57), the score was ≥ 4 (moderate pain). Multivariate analysis. Explanatory variables for obtaining a high VAS score: high APUDT score (identifying patient anxiety prior to UDT), sensory-motor alteration in the lower limbs, difficult bladder catheterization and the appearance of pain during the filling phase. Age and duration of the UDT have not influenced the VAS score. Conclusions Although the UDT has resulted in 40% of the pediatric patients in our study expressing discomfort or pain, it is a well-tolerated test. The variables that have influenced on pain perception were patient’s anxiety prior to UDT, a sensory-motor alteration located in the lumbosacral metameres, difficult bladder catheterization and the appearance of pain during bladder filling.