Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
Bladder function in obstructed men - does age matter?
Fabricio Beltrame, Fabrizzio Beltrame1, Fabio Thadeu Ferreira2
1a Division of Geriatric Urology , Federal University of São Paulo , Brazil .
Aim:
The high prevalence of diseases and disabilities in the elderly will therefore impose major future challenges for governments, particularly in social security, health system and social care.
Methods:
Nine hundred and seventy-one men, 40 years or older referred for low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) evaluation who underwent full urodynamic investigation, were reviewed. Urodynamic parameters were obtained, such as Uroflowmetry, those of Filling Cystometry and those of pressure flow study (PFS).
Results:
Mean age was of 66.1 years old. Most the patients included in the analysis were categorized as Schafer score 2-4. Correlation analysis of uroflowmetry parameters revealed statistically significant decrease in voided volume (p = 0.013), Qmax (p = 0.023) with aging. Cystometric parameters revealed significant age-related decrease in bladder capacity (p < 0.001) and bladder compliance (p = 0.004). PFS revealed significant decrease in voiding efficiency (p = 0.029), voided volume (p < 0.001), Qave (p = 0.008) and Qmax (p = 0.048) with progressing age. Age subgroup analyses showed significant differences in voiding efficiency (KW, p = 0.032), voided volume (KW, p < 0.001) and Qave (KW, p = 0.036).
Conclusions:
Age-related changes in voiding function might not be a result of impaired detrusor contractility or increased outflow obstruction, intrinsic causes must be suspected. Changes in the storage function of the bladder represent specific pathophysiological mechanisms influenced by aging.
Related Concept Videos
Urinary Bladder
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra
Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry
The Micturition Reflex
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating...
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....

