Dysfunctional urinary voiding in women with functional defecatory disorders

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Pelvic Floor Disorders
• Functional Bowel Disorders

Background:

• Pelvic floor dysfunction can present with bladder or bowel symptoms.
• The link between functional defecatory disorders and dysfunctional voiding is not well understood.
• This study hypothesized generalized pelvic floor dysfunction in patients with defecatory disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between functional defecatory disorders and dysfunctional voiding.
• To determine if patients with defecatory disorders exhibit generalized pelvic floor dysfunction manifesting as urinary voiding issues.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 28 women with functional defecatory disorders and 30 healthy women.
• Voiding function assessed via symptom questionnaire, voiding diary, uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual urine volume measurement.

Main Results:

• Women with defecatory disorders reported significantly higher rates of urinary symptoms, including urgency, frequency, and incomplete emptying.
• Voiding diary data showed increased fluid intake and output, and longer inter-void intervals in patients.
• Uroflowmetry revealed a higher risk of abnormal voiding in patients (OR 8.0) compared to controls, with longer times to reach maximum flow and empty the bladder.

Conclusions:

• Women with functional defecatory disorders frequently experience symptoms of dysfunctional voiding.
• Uroflowmetric abnormalities are more common in women with defecatory disorders, suggesting disordered urination.
• Findings support the hypothesis of generalized pelvic floor dysfunction in this patient group.