Underactive urinary bladder - Masquerading as abdominal ascites

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Urology
• Physiology

Background:

• Impaired urinary bladder evacuation is common with aging, affecting both men and women.
• Symptoms include storage, voiding, and post-micturition issues, potentially leading to urinary retention and reduced quality of life.
• The exact causes of underactive detrusor are not fully understood, and diagnostic criteria are not standardized.

Observation:

• Urodynamic study (UDS) is the current standard for diagnosing underactive detrusor, despite being invasive.
• A 73-year-old male presented with urinary symptoms and abdominal distension, indicative of bladder dysfunction.
• The case highlights the clinical challenges associated with diagnosing and managing impaired bladder emptying.

Findings:

• Underactive detrusor, a condition affecting bladder emptying, lacks effective therapeutic options.
• Current treatment goals focus on symptom improvement and complication risk reduction.
• Further investigation is needed to understand the etiopathogenesis and develop better treatments.

Implications:

• This condition significantly impacts patients' quality of life, necessitating improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
• The lack of effective treatments underscores the need for advancements in urological care for the aging population.
• Developing non-invasive diagnostic methods and effective therapies for underactive detrusor is a critical unmet need.