[Pathophysiology of urge, stress, and mixed incontinence]

Abstract

According to the new ICS classification, urinary incontinence is subdivided by symptomatic, clinical, and urodynamic criteria. Understanding the pathophysiological interactions is important to find the correct diagnosis. Disturbances in bladder storage include urge incontinence due to neurogenic or non-neurogenic (idiopathic) detrusor hyperactivity as well as stress urinary incontinence caused by an insufficient urethral closure mechanism due to reduced pressure transmission (active-passive), hypotonic urethra, hyporeactivity of sphincter musculature, or involuntary relaxation of the urethra. Stress and urge incontinence can occur in combination and then be defined as mixed incontinence.