Alleviating Constipation in the Elderly Improves Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Abstract

Background: Constipation and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) very frequently occur in the elderly, and several reports have suggested that dysfunction in either one of these systems may affect the other. Most studies correlating rectal and bladder dysfunction, however, have been carried out in children or young women. Objective: To examine the effect of alleviating constipation on LUTS in the elderly. Methods: Fifty-two patients aged 65–89 (mean 72 ± 13) years with chronic constipation and LUTS participated in this prospective cohort study. Before treatment of constipation was initiated and on their monthly visits, patients completed a questionnaire regarding their constipation pattern, urinary symptoms, sexual function and mood, and underwent urinalysis. Urinary tract anatomy and residual urine were evaluated by abdominal ultrasound at the commencement and completion of the study. Patients were followed up for 4 months. Results: Treatment of constipation increased the number of weekly defecations from 1.5 ± 0.9 to 4.7 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001). Patients spent less time on the toilet (25 ± 2.1 versus 63 ± 1.9 min, p < 0.0001). Fewer patients reported urgency (16 versus 34, p < 0.001), frequency (25 versus 47, p < 0.001) and burning sensation during urination (6 versus 17, p < 0.05). There was improvement in the scoring of urgency, frequency and burning sensation (from a baseline of 52 to 126, 131 and 95, respectively, p < 0.001). Urinary stream disturbances improved in 32 of the 52 patients (p < 0.001). Residual urine volume decreased from 85 ± 39.5 to 30 ± 22.56 ml (p < 0.001). There was also a significant decrease in the number of patients with bacteriurial events (5 versus 17, p < 0.001), and an improvement in sexual activity and mood (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that medical relief of constipation significantly improves LUTS in the elderly which, in turn, improves the patient’s mood, sexual activity and quality of life.

Cervical vagotomy increased the distal colon distention to urinary bladder inhibitory reflex in male rats

“…However, the inhibition of urinary bladder micturition in some animals was released following the deflation of the distal colon balloon. Similar effects were also reported in the elderly people, where treating constipation in these patients had improved the urinary bladder dysfunction and decreased the bladder residual volume [3]. The results of this study also showed that voiding time, but not the storage time, had significantly increased with colon distention.…”

Association of Bowel Habits with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men: Findings from the 2005–2006 and 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…7,8 Research in the elderly population has shown that LUTS improve after the relief of constipation. 9 In this study we examine the association of LUTS with abnormalities in bowel habits among men age 40 years or older using a large database representative of the United States population. We hypothesize that men with LUTS have concomitant abnormalities in bowel habits.…”

Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse

“…9 In a cohort of women age 65 to 89 years with lower urinary tract symptoms and constipation, treatment of constipation resulted in decreased rates of urinary frequency and urgency and reduced postvoid residual urine volume. 10 …”