Ageing-related bladder functional and biological changes.

Abstract

One of the major global demographic trends is the rapid ageing population, and the num- ber of people with ageing-related diseases has been increasing. In the urological field, ageing-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), especially detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC), are commonly observed among elderly patients. However, such ageing-related LUTS and their backgrounds widely vary by individual. Previous reports using functional- and biological-investigations in rodents revealed the possible relationship between ageing and individual factors related to bladder function, which were hormonal fac- tors, intrinsic changes (fibrosis and denervation) and oxidative stress, etc. Here, I reviewed involvement of such factors on ageing-related LUTS including DHIC.