BLADDER DYSFUNCTION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

In schizophrenic patients with incontinence our previous urodynamic st udies showed detrusor hyperreflexia in some cases. Many schizophrenic patients have brain abnormalities similar to those associated with urg e incontinence and detrusor hyperreflexia in neurological patients. We therefore propose bladder dysfunction and incontinence as previously unrecognized neurobiological correlates of schizophrenia. To clarify t his concept our first step, the present study, was a patient survey fo r urinary problems. Incontinence was more prevalent in schizophrenic p atients than in a comparison group of mood disorder patients at the sa me hospitals. Urge incontinence and leakage of any type were related c losely to psychiatric diagnosis. These data, like our pilot urodynamic studies, suggest that incontinence represents detrusor hyperreflexia in a significant subset of schizophrenic patients. Prospective urodyna mic studies will be needed to test our proposal directly. (C) 1997 Els evier Science B.V.