Women's lower urinary tract function and dysfunction: definitions and epidemiology

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gynecology
• Women's Health

Background:

• Female lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) encompasses various conditions affecting bladder function.
• Existing literature on LUTD in women presents disparities and challenges in result aggregation.
• Urinary incontinence is a prevalent LUTD, extensively studied, but other dysfunctions also impact women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate and clarify definitions of female LUTD based on International Continence Society (ICS) standards.
• To investigate reasons for inconsistencies in previous LUTD research and subgroup findings.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of female LUTD, including incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and nocturia.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review focusing on female lower urinary tract dysfunction.
• Analysis of International Continence Society (ICS) definitions and guidelines.
• Comparative analysis of prevalence, incidence, and risk factors across different LUTD subgroups.

Main Results:

• Established clear definitions for female LUTD according to ICS consensus.
• Identified key factors contributing to disparities in published LUTD research.
• Synthesized data on the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and nocturia in women.

Conclusions:

• A unified understanding of female LUTD definitions is crucial for accurate research and clinical practice.
• Addressing research disparities will improve the evidence base for managing women's lower urinary tract symptoms.
• This review provides a foundational summary for further investigation into female LUTD management and treatment.