Current understanding of diabetes mellitus-induced lower urinary tract dysfunction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is slowly emerging as an epidemic in India, afflicting majority of the population, thus having serious public health consequences. DM usually inflicts major insult to almost all organ systems of the body, including the urinary tract. However, there is a dearth of literature on potential hazardous effects of DM on the urinary tract in a particular population. Considering its negative impact on the quality of life, particularly among the growing elderly population in India, we performed literature search through PubMed and unbound Medline database using the terms “diabetic cystopathy,” “diabetic complication urinary tract,” “diabetic urethropathy,” and “diabetic bladder dysfunction” to study the current understanding on the pathophysiology of diabetes induced on the lower urinary tract dysfunction. All the literature based on DM relevant to lower urinary tract dysfunction were studied, and a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes induced on the lower urinary tract dysfunction is provided. These results will facilitate the future directions for research and clinical care of patients with DM-induced lower urinary tract dysfunction. In conclusion, the long-term hyperglycemic state may result in structural and functional changes in urinary bladder and urethra, contributing to deterioration of lower urinary tract coordinated function.