Voiding cystourethrography findings in elderly women with urge incontinence

We report voiding cystourethrography findings associated with urge incontinence in elderly women.

Two observers jointly reviewed voiding cystourethrograms of 50 cognitively intact and mobile elderly female participants in a drug trial for urge incontinence and 19 continent volunteers. Multichannel urodynamic testing was performed in all subjects. Bladder wall trabeculation and diverticula, cystocele and vesicoureteral reflux were noted. Maximal bladder capacity, post-void residual, and history of bladder suspension and hysterectomy were obtained from clinical records.

Of the incontinent women 35 (70%) had trabeculation, which was mild in 30 (60%) and moderate in 5 (10%), and 41 (82%) had cystocele, which was mild in 23 (46%), moderate in 15 (30%) and severe in 3 (6%). Maximal bladder capacity ranged from less than 100 to more than 900 cc, and was greater than 500 in 37 incontinent women (74%). Of the continent women 16 (84%) had smooth bladders, 2 had mild (11%) and 1 had moderate (5%) trabeculation, and 11 (58%) had cystocele, which was mild in 8 (42%) and moderate in 3 (16%). In 7 continent women maximal bladder capacity was greater than 500 cc (37%). Differences between the 2 groups in regard to bladder wall trabeculation, maximal bladder capacity and presence of cystocele were significant at p<0.05.

Large bladder capacity, bladder wall trabeculation and small to moderate cystocele on voiding cystourethrography are associated with urge incontinence in the elderly female population.