Astellas Wins Expanded Label to Include Pediatric Use for Oral Solifenacin in the EU

Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) has been awarded EU approval for its neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) therapy solifenacin succinate in oral suspension form. The drug is indicated for children aged 2 to 18 years. NDO is a bladder dysfunction in which increased storage pressure can put the upper urinary tract at risk of deterioration. Commonly observed in patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, it causes urinary incontinence in approximately 50% of MS patients. Read more.

Source: The Pharma Letter, March 9, 2018

Study Highlights Association of Obesity with Fecal Incontinence in Spina Bifida Patients

In the November 2017 issue of Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, Dr. Charlène Brochard and her colleagues from a spina bifida referral center in Rennes, France, report on the frequency of intestinal problems in 26- to 45-year-old patients with spina bifida. The multidisciplinary study included clinical data obtained over a 9-year period on nearly 400 spina bifida patients, emphasizing the association of obesity with fecal incontinence and bowel dysfunction. Read more.

Source: News-Medical. net, October 9, 2017

Living with Spina Bifida

My Story – Submitted by: Anonymous

I was born with spina bifida. I was also one of the lucky ones – I could walk, even run, and never suffered from hydroencephalitis (water on the brain). I am also urinary and fecal incontinent.

At the age of 3 years, I had a urinary diversion surgery called an illial [ileal] loop done. I wore a urinary bag until I was 18. Kids can be cruel. In addition to the normal teasing that goes with growing up, I also had to deal with being shunned due to the bag springing leaks, as well as regular accidents from the bowel incontinence. You can probably imagine how bad things got. When I was 18, an artificial sphincter was installed on my bladder – I still had to self-catheterize to pee, but at least I didn’t have to wear that damned bag.

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