Urinary Dysfunctions and Post-Void Residual Urine in Typical and Atypical Parkinson Diseases

Urinary dysfunction is relatively common, however, is often underestimated and diagnosed by subjective questionnaires in patients with Parkinsonism.

To determine the correlation between subjective urinary dysfunction and post-void residual urine volume in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and to assess the relationship between clinical characteristics and subjective or objective urinary dysfunction.

A total of 196 patients with de novo Parkinsonism without urological and gynecological disorders were included. For all subjects, data were collected on sonographic post-void residual urine volume and urinary symptoms. All patients were also assessed on motor symptom severity, cognitive and affective measurements, other nonmotor symptoms, 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, and renal functions.

Seventeen out of 196 parkinsonian patients showed abnormal post-void residual urine volumes, with ≥100 ml. The MSA group showed significantly higher post-void residual urine volume compared to the PD and PSP groups. Symptoms of the sense of incomplete emptying, weak urine stream, and nocturia were strongly correlated with post-void residual urine volume. Post-void residual urine volume was positively related to autonomic symptoms, other non-motor symptoms, patient activities of daily living, and negatively related to renal function.

Increased post-void residual urine volumes were observed in small portion of early drug-naïve Parkinsonian patients, especially in MSA. Post-void residual urine volume was significantly related to subjective urinary and other autonomic dysfunctions. Voiding dysfunction is associated with not only end organ damage, but also other nonmotor dysfunctions and patient activities of daily living.