R. Goswami et al., PREVALENCE OF ENURESIS AND OTHER BLADDER SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE GRAVES-DISEASE, British Journal of Urology, 80(4), 1997, pp. 563-566
Objective To determine the prevalence of bladder symptoms in patients
with Graves' disease and assess their abnormalities on urodynamic stud
ies. Patients and methods The study comprised 30 consecutive patients
(13 female, 17 male, mean age 31 years, so 10) with active Graves' dis
ease, Before and after attaining euthyroidism with carbimazole, their
bladder symptoms were assessed using a questionnaire adapted from the
American Urologic Association voiding symptom score, the serum levels
of total triiodo-L-thyronine (T3), serum thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-st
imulating hormone (TSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay, and uroflow
metry, cystometry and perineal muscle electromyography were performed,
Results Twelve of the 30 patients (40%) had the onset of bladder symp
toms 1-6 months after the onset of symptoms of Graves' disease; four o
f the 12 patients had enuresis. Urodynamic studies were possible in fi
ve patients and showed reduced now rates in all, a significant post-vo
id residual volume in four, and enlarged bladder capacity and increase
d perineal muscle electromyographic activity during the voiding phase
in three. Voiding disturbances and urodynamic abnormalities resolved a
fter attaining euthyroidism. Conclusion Significant bladder symptoms c
an occur in about 40% of patients with active Graves' disease but reso
lve on euthyroidism; in some patients, urodynamic studies show signifi
cant abnormalities which are also reversible.