title: Polypharmacy and its effect on urinary incontinence in a geriatric population.
abstract: The relationship between medication and incontinence was studied retrospectively in 128 elderly patients enrolled in an incontinence study. Patients were taking up to 18 non-topical medications but most of these were unlikely to have a significant urological effect. Nevertheless, 62% of patients were receiving, for other medical problems, up to 4 drugs which could potentially affect the lower urinary tract. These were classified by their mode of action. The most common types of urologically active medication, apart from diuretics, were calcium channel blockers, used by 21% of patients, and tricyclic antidepressants, used by 12%. The urodynamic findings in patients on different types of medication were compared. Patients with urodynamically proven urge incontinence who were on calcium channel blockers had significantly less urine loss than those not on the drug. Tricyclic antidepressants have been used in the treatment of urge incontinence; in this study urine loss was less severe among those receiving tricyclics, although the differences were not significant. A few patients on beta-blockers apparently had more severe urge incontinence. Drugs prescribed to the elderly for non-urological medical problems can affect the lower urinary tract and may have some effect, either beneficial or adverse, on incontinence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Sciences in Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Gormley
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: McCracken
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects; D014556:Urine
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers