Associations of Self-Rated Deficits in Executive Function with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Adaptive Behaviors, and Bladder Health among Women
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Poorer performance on standardized tests of cognitive function is associated with urinary incontinence (UI), overactive bladder, and poorer bladder health among people aged 40 and older. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether self-rated deficits in executive function domains (organization/problem solving, inhibitory control/self-restraint, self-regulation of emotions) are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), perceived bladder health and function, and adaptive behaviors to prevent or manage UI among adult women across the life course. METHODS: = 1,551). RESULTS: Self-rated deficits in all evaluated domains of executive function were significantly associated with greater numbers and frequency of LUTS, including urgency and urgency UI; poorer perceived bladder health and function; and a greater tendency to locate bathrooms when entering new places. Associations were of similar magnitude across age categories ranging from emerging to older adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate an association between self-rated executive function deficits and bladder function. Further research should test brain-bladder communication as a potential mechanism linking deficits in executive function to greater numbers and frequency of LUTS, poorer perceived bladder health and function, and greater engagement in adaptive behaviors to prevent or manage UI. Research is also needed to further evaluate whether associations between executive function and LUTS differ by life course stage.
Source: Journal of Women s Health
Institutions: University of Minnesota, University of California San Diego, Yale University, Loyola University Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, University of Chicago, University of Chicago Medical Center, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Washington University in St. Louis, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Emory University, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Language: English
Subfield: Urology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: The Truly Healthy Bladder 2: Understanding Normal As A Pathway To Prevention Of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms In Women, Penn+Plus Clinical Research Center, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY PLUS CLINICAL SITE, Pathways to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Prevention in Adolescent and Adult Women., Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Yale Clinical Research Center, Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Scientific and Data Coordinating Center, Prevention of LUTS: Bladder Health Clinical Center, UC San Diego Site, Bladder health promotion and LUTS prevention inadolescent and adult women across the life course, PLUS Loyola Clinical Center
OpenAlex ID: W4414393176