Managing older patients with urinary retention in the Continence Clinic

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Continence Clinic for managing retention of urine in older patients.

Retrospective study.

Continence Clinic, Fung Yiu King Hospital, Hong Kong.

Case notes of 58 patients seen at the Fung Yiu King Hospital Continence Clinic from October 1997 to September 2001 were reviewed. The patients had retention of urine with post-void residual volume of more than 200 mL, retention of urine requiring catheterization, or had catheters for unknown reasons.

Urodynamic study performed for 22 (38%) patients showed that 12 had detrusor underactivity, six had detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contraction, and four had bladder outlet obstruction. Among the patients who were initially catheterized, the success rate for gradually stopping reliance on urinary catheterization was 84%. The success rate was higher among those who did not undergo urodynamic study than among those who had the study done (95% versus 67%; P=0.03). Reduction in post-void residual volume was observed at the last clinic visits (P<0.0001). Moreover, significant decreases in post-void residual volume were found both for patients who did and did not have urodynamic study.

Most of the older patients with urinary retention with or without indwelling catheters were treated successfully in the Continence Clinic by appropriate medical therapy. Urodynamic study can be performed for selected patients when managing urinary retention.