The Relationship of Sibling Reflux to Index Patient Dysfunctional Voiding

The rate of sibling reflux in index patients with and without dysfunctional voiding symptoms was compared. Of the siblings of index patients with reflux and dysfunctional voiding 20 per cent demonstrated reflux compared to 38 per cent of siblings of those without symptom of bladder dysfunction. The difference is significant and suggests an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. These factors are discussed. There remains a need to screen siblings of patients with reflux regardless of symptoms of either the index patient or the sibling.