title: [Physiopathology and evaluation of urinary incontinence in non-institutionalized aged patients].
abstract: The prevalence of urinary incontinence increases with age, with a predominance of incontinence due to detrusor instability. The development of incontinence in an elderly person can be explained pathophysiologically by the development of age-related histological and functional alterations of the bladder, by increased nocturnal diuresis at the expense of diurnal diuresis and finally, in women, by a reduction of urethral pressure. The initial assessment is essentially clinical and must comprise evaluation of concomitant diseases and drugs likely to favour the development of incontinence, a voiding diary and assessment of the post-voiding residual volume. Only a test for urinary tract infection by dipsticks or urine culture constitutes an essential first-line complementary investigation, as urodynamic studies can be reserved for more complex situations.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haab
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciofu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coloby
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Delmas
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D004231:Diuresis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014563:Urodynamics