Cystometric characteristics in continent adults of various ages

Cystometry was carried out in 40 women and 31 men without incontinence symptoms. The average patient age was 73.3 +/- 8.34 and 68.7 +/- 11.4 years, respectively. Three parameters were analysed: (1) bladder volume at first urgency (VolFU), (2) bladder volume at the point of involuntary micturition (VolM) and (3) difference between the volumes at involuntary micturition and at first urgency (continence reserve, CR). The results demonstrated an age-related progressive drop in all three parameters in women as well as in men, VolM and CR being the most affected values. The average age of individuals with a < 50 ml was 78.7 +/- 5.59 years with a CR between 50 and 99 ml it was 73.3 +/- 7.26 years; and with a CR of 100 ml or more it was 68.5 +/- 10.1 years. These data underline the fact that age impairs micturition patterns even in subjects without overt incontinence problems.