Management of lower urinary tract symptoms in Parkinson's disease in the neurology clinic

ABSTRACT

This clinical review aims to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and the current treatment options available for these symptoms in a neurology setting. The review also addresses when referral to urology is appropriate.

A literature search was conducted using the keywords ‘LUTS’, ‘non-motor symptoms’, ‘overactive bladder’, ‘Parkinson's disease’ and ‘urinary symptoms’ using the Medline/Pubmed search engine. Data collected ranged from 2000 to present with emphasis on recent publications.

This review was conducted because LUTS in PD has a major impact on quality of life and is associated with early institutionalization. Emphasis is placed on treating overactive bladder with conservative strategies and medical management in the neurology setting.

Quality of life can be improved and institutionalization can be delayed with a multimodal approach to bladder care.

KEYWORDS:

• Parkinson's disease
• lower urinary tract symptoms
• bladder
• urinary incontinence
• urinary sphincter
• pelvic floor
• nocturia

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge all the clinical and research staff at Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center for their constant effort in managing overactive bladder symptoms in the clinic and from whom we have learned about the multidisciplinary approach to managing urinary symptoms. Dr. Burdick and Dr. Agarwal have research funding from Astellas but it did not fund this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.