Genetics and the lower urinary tract.

Many complex disorders have been found to have a heritable component, including lower urinary tract dysfunction. Twin studies have indicated that genetic contributions to urinary incontinence (UI) may be as important as environmental influences. Linkage to chromosome 9 has been demonstrated in families with pelvic organ prolapse and stress UI. An increasing number of incontinence specialists are studying subjects with lower urinary tract dysfunction using single nucleotide polymorphisms, linkage analyses of siblings, and large association studies. These findings have exciting implications for future prevention and treatment of UI. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.