THE EFFECT OF TERAZOSIN ON BLADDER FUNCTION IN THE SPINAL-CORD INJURED PATIENT

We prospectively studied the effect of terazosin on bladder compliance in 12 spinal cord injured patients. All study patients had demonstrat ed previously poor compliance despite clean intermittent catheterizati on and maximum anticholinergic therapy. Patients were started on 5 mg. terazosin nightly for 4 weeks. They were evaluated with a history, ph ysical examination, symptom score, and synchronous cystoscopy and cyst ometry before, during and after terazosin therapy. Detrusor compliance improved in all patients during the treatment phase. The change in bl adder pressure and the safe bladder volume were s tatistically and cli nically significant. Patients also reported fewer episodes of incontin ence and dysreflexia. The improvement in compliance and continence sug gests that in the spinal cord injured patient terazosin may have an ef fect on alpha receptors in the detrusor muscle or central effects and that improved compliance is not due to decreased outlet resistance.