Diabetic Cystopathy: Relationship to Autonomic Neuropathy Detected by Sympathetic Skin Response

ABSTRACTPurpose: The possible relationship between bladder dysfunction and autonomic neuropathy was investigated in unselected diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: Bladder function was examined by cystometry in 53 unselected diabetic patients and 10 healthy controls. Sympathetic skin response was recorded in 23 of 53 patients and all control subjects to evaluate autonomic neuropathy associated with diabetes, and the results were compared to cystometric findings.Results: Cystometrograms exhibited significant increases in bladder volume at first desire to void and maximal bladder capacity, and a decrease in detrusor contractility in diabetic patients compared to those in controls. In addition, mean residual urine was significantly larger in diabetic patients than in controls. Among the 53 diabetic patients these bladder dysfunctions were also found in each subset of patients with no sign of retinopathy (33), no subjective urinary symptoms (32) or duration of diabetes less than 1 year (12). In 23 patient...