Relationships between Urination Dysfunction (UD) and Brain Functions of Middle and Upper-Middle Aged Community Dwellers: Evidence from the Yakumo Study.

Aim: To compare the cognitive and physical abilities between upper-middle aged participants who have experienced Urination Dysfunction (UD) during last 4 weeks and intact control participants. Methods: In total 694 upper-middle aged participants (age ranged from 40 to 89 years old) were given a questionnaire for UD, cognitive tests (Digit Cancellation Test: D-CAT, and Logical Memory Test: LMT) and physical ability tests (Timed-get-Up and Go test: TUG and postural tremor test), individually. Results: We compared cognitive and physical abilities test performances between UD and Intact control group participants. Conclusion: The performance in a cognitive test, D-CAT, assessing prefrontal cortex function, and performance in tests of physical abilities including agility (TUG), were inferior in UD participants compared to the control group. However, there were no group differences in tests of LMT, physical balance, or BMI. These results strongly suggest that brain function is a risk factor for UD and health promotion staff of local governments should prepare proper measures to delay the onset of UD.