Study on Bladder Dysfunction in Elderly Women by the BFLUT Questionnaire and Bladder Scanner: Frequency and Residual...

This study aimed to describe bladder dysfunction in elderly women such as frequency, nocturia, and residual urine.

One hundred elderly women aged 60 and over. The Bristol Female Lower Urinary Symptoms (BFLUT) was used to evaluate the bladder function and to measure the residual urine amount by using a bladder scanner. Data was analyzed with the differences between voiding dysfunction by age group and life habits by t-test, ANOVA and correlation by Pearson correlation coefficient.

the mean daytime frequency was 6.8 times and night-time frequency 2.7 times. Sixty three percent of subjects had urgency and 41% had urgent incontinence. Over half of subjects had problem in voiding function. There were significant differences in frequency by age groups and constipation, but not in daytime frequency and residual urine. Lastly, there were significant positive relations between daytime frequency and night-time frequency. Also results indicate that more frequency in daytime equaled to a less residual urine amount.

We know many elderly women have lower urinary tract symptoms. Specially women over 75 years have more daytime frequency and night-time frequency. This suggests further research needed in order to understand the relation of voiding patterns and life habits and its influence on quality of life.