Aging and overactive bladder may be associated with loss of urethral sensation in women

Aims To compare current perception thresholds (CPT) in the urethra and bladder of women with idiopathic overactive bladder to asymptomatic controls. Methods Women with ≥1 urge urinary incontinence (UUI) episode per week on 7-day diary, seeking treatment for UUI underwent CPT testing using a Neurometer® CPT device (Neurotron, Inc., Baltimore, MD). Testing was done in the urethra and bladder at three frequencies 2,000, 250, and 5 Hz corresponding to A-β, A-δ, and C fibers, respectively. CPT values from the women with UUI were compared to CPT values from a group of control women without lower urinary tract symptoms. Results Forty-eight controls without lower urinary tract symptoms and 13 women with UUI were included in the analysis. Women with UUI were significantly older (mean ± SD age 62 ± 14 and 44 ± 15, P