Intractable incontinence in the elderly

The number of people living into extreme old age is rising exponentially in the USA, Europe and other developed countries. Urinary incontinence is prevalent in this population. While many very old (age > 75 years) incontinent individuals are relatively healthy and respond well to various treatments, a substantial proportion has impaired cognitive function and impaired mobility. These impairments make urinary incontinence much more difficult to assess, manage and cure than in younger populations. Irrespective of age and disability, a basic assessment of incontinence should be carried out to identify potentially reversible causes and indications for further evaluation. The outcome of such an assessment may not be cure or improvement of incontinence, but better quality of life and the prevention of morbid and expensive medical conditions that may result from poorly managed incontinence. Incontinence in this population should generally not be considered 'intractable' until a trial of noninvasive therapy (i.e. behavioural and/or pharmacological) has been undertaken. Some very frail elderly respond well to a toileting programme such as prompted voiding, and a small but significant proportion benefit from the careful addition of a bladder relaxant drug to the toileting programme. Others, depending on their ability and willingness to toilet and their preferences for further treatment, may be candidates for surgical intervention. Pads and garments should not be used so that they foster dependency, or as a primary treatment until other specific interventions have been tried. Indwelling catheters should be used only for specific and well-documented indications, because of the risks of urinary tract infection and sepsis associated with their long-term use. The dictionary defines 'intractable' as 'not easily relieved or cured'. In the elderly, cure for incontinence, and most other chronic conditions, is the exception rather than rule. Relief (or amelioration), improvement in function and quality of life, and the exclusion of treatable medical conditions that cause morbidity and expense when undiagnosed, are generally achievable and more important goals than complete cure.