The aging bladder - a significant but underestimated role in the development of lower urinary tract symptoms

There are three major areas in which bladder dysfunction causes considerable losses in quality of life: detrusor instability, impaired detrusor function and detrusor reaction on bladder outlet obstruction. Considerable changes in detrusor morphology, detrusor innervation and bladder metabolism are seen with aging and obstruction. This causes dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms. The relation between aging per se and external influence on the detrusor from diseases in the nervous system, in the vascular supply and in the lower urinary tract itself is poorly understood. To improve our ability to prevent and treat these conditions we need more insight in these pathophysiological conditions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.