Prognosis and duration

Many of the urological problems that present are treatable or corrected by surgery.

For instance, infection such as pyelonephritis and bladder, urethral or prostate infection are treatable by antibiotics.

Conditions such as stones in the ureter or bladder, for instance, will be treated by the stone passing naturally or being removed surgically.

Conditions such as stricture of the urethra, hydronephrosis/ hydroureter and benign prostatic hypertrophy can be treated surgically.

In the case of malignancy, this may or may not be curable. Click here for Bladder cancer guidance and Prostate cancer guidance.

A person with incontinence, as long as they are mentally competent, can normally manage it independently. However, if they have other conditions limiting mobility or manual dexterity for example, they may not be able to cope independently.

In summary, there are very few situations where there are disabling effects arising from urological conditions, two exceptions being incurable malignancy and functional incontinence (where the background factor is a severe mental health condition).

Note:

The ‘qualifying period’ and ‘prospective test’ would not normally be satisfied with urological disorders, as treatment and recovery would normally be complete before the end of this period.

All information must be taken into account when considering the duration of disabling effects and the duration of disabling effects must be based on the particular circumstances of the individual claimant.

Amended June 2008