Objective: To learn about prevalence rates and the impact of urinary symptoms on day-to-day function and quality of life from the patient’s perspective.

Background: Urinary dysfunction for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is highly prevalent. Urinary symptoms can be related to age, disease duration, and neurological disability. Greater insights from the patient’s perspective about the relationship between urinary symptoms, day-to-day living, and quality of life across disease duration and age cohorts are needed.

Method: A survey-based, cross sectional research design was used. 960 individuals with PD participated. Average age: 71.14 (SD: 8.16). Average disease duration: 10.5 years (SD: 7.25). Instruments: The Parkinson Alliance Demographic Questionnaire, American Urological Association Symptom Score Questionnaire (AUA-7), and Health Related Quality of Life Measure (EQ-5D-5L).

Results: Eighty-five percent of the sample reported urinary symptoms. Storage symptoms (nocturia, urination frequency, urination urgency) were more prevalent than voiding symptoms (incomplete emptying, urinary intermittence, weak urinary stream, hesitation). Urinary urgency was most bothersome, followed by urinary frequency and nocturia. Disease duration impacted incomplete emptying, weak stream, and nocturia. Nocturia was reported in greater frequency for the Older PD group (>70 years) as compared to the Younger PD group (<70 years). Nocturia, urgency, and incontinence had the most interference in daily activities; 1/3 of the participants reported major interference. Due to urinary symptoms: 27% of the participants reported moderate to extreme altered interest in social activities; 34% reported moderate to extreme embarrassment; 22% reported moderate to extreme isolation. Emotional status was significantly related to urinary symptoms. 27% rated their level of depression or anxiety as moderate to severe. 62% of the sample reported good to excellent QOL; 37% reported poor to fair QOL; <1% reported worst imaginable QOL. 41% reported that QOL was somewhat to extremely impacted by urinary symptoms.

Conclusion: Urinary symptoms were highly prevalent for individuals with PD. Urinary symptom profiles were observed for disease duration and age cohorts. Urinary symptoms impacted engagement in daily activities and had a significant relationship with emotional status and QOL. Implications for treatment providers are discussed.

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