[Urodynamic phenomena in the aging bladder]

Lower urinary tract symptoms increase with age in both sexes and are a major problem in the elderly due to the medical and bio-psycho-social consequences involved. Lower urinary tract dysfunctions in the elderly are generally multifactorial in origin and are classifiable to a large extent by age and pathology related changes. Urodynamic findings should never be interpreted without considering the medical history, bladder diary, clinical examination and other findings. Age related changes involve a decrease of voided volume and urinary flow and an increase in overactive bladder symptoms and post void residuals. Consequently, decreased maximum bladder capacity, terminal detrusor overactivity and detrusor overactivity with impaired contractile function are typically found in the elderly. Patients with terminal detrusor overactivity are well treated by bladder training and timed voiding, sometimes combined with anticholinergic drugs, whereas patients with phasic detrusor overactivity are often good candidates for non-invasive electrical neuromodulation.