Protocolo diagnóstico y terapéutico de la incontinencia y del síndrome vesical irritativo

Urinary problems, especially urinary incontinence, overactive bladder and benign prostatic hyperplasia, are a quite common and specific group of pathological disorders of the lower urinary tract on the older population, that cause a significant impairment on the quality of life. A multidimensional assessment, as well as the clinical and quality of life impacts, of the older people with these problems is required, due to their multifactorial origin. The clinical and quality of life questionnaires constitute a very important tool in the initial assessment and also in the follow-up and in the evaluation of the treatment's response. The medical management of these problems is very wide and varied, underlying the conservative therapies (hygienic and medical recommendations plus changes in the life style) as well as the drugs, especially the antimuscarinic drugs in the treatment of urge urinary incontinence and overactive bladder, together with the alpha-blockers and the inhibitors of 5 alpha-reductase in benign prostatic hyperplasia.