Sarcopenia and Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Systematic Review
Abstract
PURPOSE
To systematically review the current evidence regarding the association between sarcopenia and female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), with a focus on epidemiological findings, potential pathophysiological mechanisms, and clinical implications.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of PubMed was conducted for studies published between January 2010 and June 2026 following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Observational studies evaluating the relationship between sarcopenia, muscle-related parameters, or frailty and female LUTS were included. Data on study characteristics, sarcopenia assessment, LUTS outcomes, and principal findings were extracted and synthesized narratively. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were cross-sectional studies involving community-dwelling or older women. Consistent evidence demonstrated significant associations between sarcopenia and multiple LUTS subtypes, including stress urinary incontinence, UUI, overactive bladder, nocturia, and overall LUTS burden. Recent studies further identified trunk muscle deficiency and sarcopenic obesity as potential contributors to urinary incontinence, while frailty was consistently associated with storage symptoms and functional decline. Owing to substantial heterogeneity in study populations, diagnostic criteria, and outcome measures, quantitative meta-analysis was not performed.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence suggests…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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