The elderly patients with dementia are often challenging to manage, especially if they have urinary incontinence. There are many causes for urinary incontinence and among the elderly with dementia, the problem is often not related to abnormalities of the lower urinary tract. Treatment options are limited by the multiple comorbidities, cognitive issues, medication side effects and limited efficacy among this group of frail elderlies.
KeywordsElderly, Urinary incontinence, Dementia, Functional incontinence cognitive impairment and more frequent reports of behavioural symptoms of dementia [5]. Despite this, the causes of UI among the elderly with dementia are not well studied because of multiple confounding factors like cognitive and physical disabilities.This article reviews the common causes of UI among the elderly, especially the elderly with dementia and management strategies for UI among the elderly with dementia.
Basic Neurophysiology of MicturitionThe bladder is innervated by the autonomic nerves as well as the somatic nerves. The sympathetic innervation originates at T11-L2, supplying the bladder via the Hypogastric nerve. The parasympathetic nerves originate at S2-S4 and innervate the bladder via the Pelvic and Pudendal nerves.The sensation of bladder fullness as it fills ascends via the spinal cord to be conveyed to the Pontine Micturition Centre, which promotes micturition via the parasympathetic supply to the urinary bladder. However, micturition may not be appropriate at all times. The central nervous system determines the "correct timing" of micturition, taking into account the social and behavioural part of micturition. Micturition is coordinated and triggered through simultaneous activities of the bladder contraction with relaxation of the urethral sphincters via the somatic and autonomic nerves.As the bladder fills, the sympathetic innervation promotes bladder wall relaxation and distension with efferent input to the urethral sphincters to cause sphincter contraction. The Frontal Micturition Centre, basal ganglia and the Pontine Micturition Centre actively inhibit RESEARCH ARTICLE