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Urinary incontinence in familial dysautonomia
J Saini1, F B Axelrod, C Maayan
1Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Medical Center, 530 First Avenue, Suite 5F, New York, NY1 10016, USA.
International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
|September 5, 2003
Summary
Urinary incontinence affects 82% of women with familial dysautonomia (FD), a condition impacting the nervous system. This high prevalence highlights the need for further research into autonomic nervous system dysfunction and incontinence.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare genetic disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system.
- The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in bladder function.
- Urinary incontinence is a common but often underreported condition in women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence in female patients with familial dysautonomia.
- To characterize the types of urinary incontinence experienced by these patients.
- To explore the potential link between FD and urinary incontinence.
Main Methods:
- A telephone survey was conducted among 68 surviving female patients with FD aged 13 and older.
- Patients were registered with Dysautonomia Centers in the USA and Israel.
- Data collected included age, parity, and self-reported urinary incontinence symptoms.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was 82% (56 out of 68 patients).
- Stress incontinence was most common (59%), followed by mixed (30%) and urge incontinence (11%).
- Significant incontinence requiring protection occurred in 36% of incontinent patients, with 7% experiencing daily loss; 12% had nocturnal enuresis and 26% nocturia.
Conclusions:
- Urinary incontinence is highly prevalent in young women with familial dysautonomia.
- The findings suggest a significant role for autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the development of incontinence in FD.
- Further neurophysiologic studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking FD and urinary incontinence.
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