Social Ecology of Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction

To review the literature on the social ecology of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction through a multi-level framework.

Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction is a complex collection of symptoms, which significantly affects and is affected by various levels of the social experience across all levels, including individual, interpersonal, community, and societal. Individual factors include the profound effects on both overall and bladder-specific QOL, the significant psychosocial comorbidity, and the burden of unmet social needs. Interpersonal relationships—including social, romantic and sexual, and caregiver—are complex and have unique considerations. In the community, experiences in the workplace, schools, and healthcare settings, and interactions with public restrooms can be challenging for those with NLUTD, and special considerations are often overlooked by more able-bodied people. Finally, the economic burden and overall healthcare utilization of those with NLUTD is vast and likely greater than other non-neurogenic bladder conditions.

There is a growing body of literature on the social ecology of NLUTD, however the literature to date remains sparce, and there is much room for further investigation. A better understanding of factors at each level may allow for better overall understanding of the lived experience of those with NLUTD.