[Urinary incontinence in the elderly: what can and should be done?]. / Inkontinenz im Alter: Was kann und soll man tun?

ABSTRACT

The demographic development of society shows a clear increase in the elderly population in the coming decades, which will result in an increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence. Diagnosis and treatment of many patients is not carried out for a myriad of reasons and thus incontinence care is often inadequate. A detailed medical history is the basis of identification of the problem and underpins the effective diagnostic and therapeutic management of the problem. In this context, the algorithms based on the national and international guidelines and age-specific characteristics should be considered. The initial focus should be on conservative management. In a few cases of elderly patients, invasive diagnostics using urodynamics or cystoscopy might be indicated. The increased use of medication in the elderly both from an etiological and therapeutic point of view, especially in terms of drug/drug interactions requires special consideration. In particular cognitive impairment using pharmacological approaches should be avoided. Although incontinence surgery of the patient applies less often with increasing age it still plays a role in the appropriate selection of treatment.