Urinary incontinence: selected current concepts.

Abstract

UI is highly prevalent in older adults and associated with excess comorbidity and increased mortality. Intensive screening and comprehensive clinical examination of all elders enables prompt detection, accurate classification, and appropriate treatment. OAB is the most common cause of persistent incontinence in the older adult. As with other types of UI, behavior modification is first-line treatment of OAB. Although antimuscarinic agents have been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of OAB, limited data are available regarding the safety and tolerability of these agents in older adults. Patients who fail to respond to noninvasive treatment or those in whom surgery may be appropriate should be referred to the urologist for evaluation and further management.