[The value of a clinical test for the evaluation of bladder-sphincter function in the management of urinary disorders of the elderly].

The authors report the value of a clinical test for the evaluation of vesico-sphincteric function in the demonstration of urinary disorders in the elderly. This simple, inexpensive test which can be performed at the patient's bedside, was performed in 175 elderly patients with a mean age of 81.2 years, mostly suffering from urinary incontinence (66.2%) and mostly (80%) derived from intermediate and long-term geriatric units. The mechanisms most often detected was detrusor instability (41% of patients). Cystomanometric data, obtained in 80 patients, were analysed and compared retrospectively with the data of the test: they demonstrated a good correlation in terms of evaluation of detrusor stability. As part of the overall management, this test constitutes a real diagnostic tool available to nursing staff, particularly in geriatric institutions not equipped with more specialised investigations.