LUTS in pelvic ischemia: a new concept in voiding dysfunction

Abstract

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a group of voiding symptoms affecting both genders as they age. Traditionally, LUTS in men were commonly attributed to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). It was later shown that, in approximately one-third to more than one-half of cases, LUTS in men are not associated with BOO. Urodynamic changes in the male bladder and symptom scores in aging men were found to be identical to their age-matched female counterparts. These observations suggested that LUTS in the elderly do not necessarily relate to BOO and may result from local changes in bladder muscle, nerves, and blood vessels. However, aging factors predisposing to bladder dysfunction and LUTS remain unknown. Growing evidence suggests that aging-associated pelvic ischemia may be a primary factor in the development of nonobstructed nonneurogenic overactive bladder and LUTS. First identified in experimental models and later in clinical studies, pelvic ischemia has been shown to compromise the lower urinary tract structure and lead to dysfunction. Structural and functional consequences of bladder and prostate ischemia have been documented in animal models. Clinical studies have shown that bladder and prostate blood flow decreases with aging. The severity of LUTS in elderly patients correlates with the degrees of bladder ischemia. LUTS improvement with α blockers has been associated with increased bladder blood flow. Pelvic ischemia may be an independent factor in nonobstructed nonneurogenic bladder instability and LUTS. Further research into the pathophysiology of LUTS in pelvic ischemia may lead to better management of this problem in the elderly population.