Prevalence of Symptoms of Dysfunction of Lower Urinary Tract Among Athletes

Abstract

Upon reviewing the literature by using the MEDLINE world database we have not found studies related to the distribution of the various dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract among women athletes. The main symptoms of the mentioned dysfunctions are presented in the introduction of the present study. The objective of the study is to establish the size of their distribution among women athletes. The contingent of the study covers 32 non-actively practicing sport women athletes, who are students at “V. Levsky” National Sports Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria. To evaluate the function of the lower urinary tract we have made use of a standardized questionnaire that assesses the various types of dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract and their reflection on the quality of life. A distribution in percentages of the women competitors is presented depending on the availability or lack of the respective symptoms. The distribution of the various types of symptoms is also pointed out. The distribution of deficit symptoms upon emptying the urinary bladder is commented on in detail. It has been established from our study that the distribution of the stress urinary symptoms and urge symptoms that provoke social worries is relatively small for the women competitors under our study. The results show a large distribution of the deficit symptoms upon emptying the urinary bladder. We consider the study of the effect of these symptoms over the sports activity necessary. The availability of dysfunctional symptoms of the lower urinary tract does not show a considerable negative impact on the quality of life of the contingent we are studying. Additional researches are needed to disclose the interaction between the dysfunction of the lower urinary tract and practicing sports.