Just like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered, the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been uncovered through a systematic review and meta-analysis. LUTS, which include the pesky problems of urinary incontinence and retention, are often overlooked in PD. However, this review reveals that these symptoms are quite common among PD patients, affecting about 61% of them. Storage symptoms and voiding symptoms were the two main subtypes of LUTS found, affecting approximately 59% and 24% of patients, respectively. When it comes to the specific problems of urinary incontinence and retention, around 30% and 27% of PD patients experience them, respectively. To mitigate the inconsistencies in prevalence estimation, standardized and validated methods are recommended for detecting and screening LUTS and its subtypes. So, if you’re curious to learn more about the hows and whys behind these urinary issues in PD, go ahead and dive into the research!
BackgroundLower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common non-motor symptoms but are often overlooked in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The prevalence of LUTS in PD is inconsistent among different studies.ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of LUTS, urinary incontinence, and urinary retention in PD patients, then, investigate potential sources of inconsistency in prevalence estimation.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from inception to May 2022. Studies reporting the prevalence of LUTS or LUTS subtypes in PD were included. Pooled prevalence of LUTS, LUTS subtypes, urinary incontinence, and urinary retention was calculated via random-effects models. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed.ResultsOf 7,358 studies after duplicate removal, a total of 73 studies comprising 14,937 PD patients were included. The pooled prevalence of LUTS was 61% (95% CI 53–69; 27 studies; n = 5,179), while the pooled prevalence of storage symptoms and voiding symptoms was 59% (44–73; 9 studies; n = 798) and 24% (14–33; 11 studies; n = 886), respectively. The pooled prevalence of urinary incontinence, retention and post-void residual (PVR) volume ≥ 100 ml were 30% (95% CI 22–39; 21 studies; n = 6,054), 27% (17–37; 14 studies; n = 1,991), and 4% (1–7; 5 studies; n = 439), respectively. The prevalence of LUTS, urinary incontinence, or urinary retention was significantly associated with diagnostic methods.ConclusionLUTS and its subtypes present in a significant proportion of PD patients. It is necessary to use standardized and validated methods to detect and screen LUTS and its subtypes.Systematic review registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022311233, Identifier: CRD42022311233.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
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