Disfunção do trato urinário inferior e mau desempenho escolar em crianças e adolescentes

Abstract

Introduction: Lower urinary tract dysfunction has been linked to several conditions, including poor school performance. However, few studies have investigated this association. Objective: To verify the association between lower urinary tract symptoms and poor school performance in children and adolescents with low socioeconomic conditions. Methods: An observational analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 316 students aged 6 to 17 years from public schools in Brazil. Data were collected using the following tools: Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System to screen for lower urinary tract dysfunction symptoms; Bristol Stool Chart to assess constipation; Inventory of family environment resources to raise family environment resources; Word and Pseudoword Reading Competence Test and questionnaires to assess school performance. Results: The prevalence of symptoms of the lower urinary tract was 49.4% and school delay was 43.9%. The sample was composed exclusively by socioeconomic class families C, D and E. There was a significant association between lower urinary tract symptoms and female gender and constipation. There was no significant association between lower urinary tract symptoms and socioeconomic and sociodemographic variables, as well as with variables related to school performance. Conclusions: Although no association was found between lower urinary tract symptoms and poor school performance, the prevalence of school delay and lower urinary tract dysfunction symptoms were high in this population. Therefore, the importance of a detailed investigation of possible risk factors in the school context is emphasized.