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Urinary incontinence in the aged, Part 1: Patient evaluation
P Rousseau1, A Fuentevilla-Clifton
1VA Medical Center, Phoenix.
Geriatrics
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Urinary incontinence is common in older adults, leading to serious health and social issues. Early evaluation in primary care is key to identifying transient or persistent causes for better management.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Urology
- Primary Care Medicine
Background:
- Urinary incontinence (UI) significantly impacts individuals over 65, contributing to social isolation, depression, and nursing home placement.
- Transient UI can stem from delirium, infections, atrophic vaginitis/urethritis, medications, or mobility issues.
- Persistent UI presents in urge, stress, overflow, or functional types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the primary care evaluation process for older adults experiencing urinary incontinence.
- To differentiate between transient and persistent incontinence types in the geriatric population.
Main Methods:
- Review of patient history to identify potential causes of incontinence.
- Utilization of simple diagnostic tests, including bedside urodynamics, to determine the type and cause of UI.
- Focus on primary care setting for initial assessment.
Main Results:
- Patient history and bedside urodynamics are effective in isolating the cause of urinary incontinence.
- Identification of precipitating factors for transient incontinence is crucial.
- Classification of persistent incontinence into urge, stress, overflow, or functional types.
Conclusions:
- A thorough primary care evaluation is essential for diagnosing urinary incontinence in older adults.
- Understanding the different types and causes of UI guides appropriate management strategies.
- This article serves as the first part, focusing on evaluation, with management strategies discussed in part 2.