Urinary incontinence in men: current status and future directions.
BACKGROUND
Despite similar rates of voiding dysfunction in older men and women, most funded research has focused on women. Strategic treatment plans for managing urinary incontinence and other lower urinary tract symptoms in men are limited by sparse or absent direct clinical evidence with most interventions supported by data extrapolated from studies in women.


OBJECTIVE
To explore what is known about the epidemiology and etiology of incontinence in men, highlight some of the gaps in the current knowledge, address limitations in existing research, and consider future directions in men's continence care.


METHODS
Existing literature on urinary incontinence in men was analyzed to generate a plan for future research.


RESULTS
Gaps in our knowledge of urinary incontinence in men remain in the areas of etiology, psychosocial consequences, and treatment efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical research addressing incontinence in men is critical to explore the barriers or facilitators to seeking care, elucidate the biomechanical aspects of pelvic floor function, provide a clear description of the natural history of bladder dysfunction, and highlight the quality of life impact from incontinence.
Moore
Katherine N
KN
Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. katherine.moore@ualberta.ca
Gray
Mikel
M
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists