Does deep brain stimulation improve lower urinary tract symptoms in Parkinson's disease?

AIMS: To investigate whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) or the subthalamic nucleus (STN) improve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS: An exploratory post-hoc analysis was performed of specific LUTS items of questionnaires used in a randomized clinical trial with 128 patients (NSTAPS study). First, we compared scores on LUTS items at baseline and 12 months for the GPi DBS and STN DBS group separately. Second, we divided the group by sex, instead of DBS location; to assess a possible gender associated influence of anatomical and pathophysiological differences, again comparing scores at baseline and 12 months. Third, we reported on Foley-catheter use at baseline and after 12 months.

RESULTS: Urinary incontinence and frequency improved after both GPi DBS and STN DBS at 12 months, postoperatively, but this was only statistically significant for the STN DBS group (P = 0.004). The improvements after DBS were present in both men (P = 0.01) and women (P = 0.05). Nocturia and urinary incontinence did not improve significantly after any type of DBS, irrespective of sex. At 12 months, none of the patients had a Foley-catheter.

CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence and frequency significantly improved after STN DBS treatment in male and female patients with PD. Nocturia and nighttime incontinence due to parkinsonism did not improve after DBS, irrespective of gender.