The role of the psychiatric approach for the treatment of several urological diseases

Abstract

Introduction: Normal function of the genitourinary system relies on the coordination of endocrine, vascular, neurological, as well as psychological factors. Diseases such as enuresis, incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, and erectile dysfunction are described from a psychologic-psychiatric point of view, which will probably confront the urologist most frequently in practice. Materials and Methods: A PubMed search was used to identify evidence that a range of psychopathological features is associated with several urologic diseases. The search was concentrated on urological as well as on psychiatric journals, regarding the investigation and description of psychological interrelationships in the field of urology. Discussion: Today, it is acknowledged that some urological diseases might be psychosomatically induced or might show a psychiatric comorbidity, which has been recognized and characterized both as causative factor and as result of these diseases. Numerous studies accentuate the need for a psychiatric-psychosomatic approach of these diseases, which pathogenetic mechanisms are not fully understood yet. Conclusion: The appreciation of the adjuvant psychiatric-psychosomatic approach in diagnosis and intervention in current therapeutic strategies is growing, as it may result in an improved treatment outcome. © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel