Urinary tract dysfunction in older patients has a multifactorial aetiology and is not a uniform clinical condition. Changes due to physiological ageing as well as comorbidity and polypharmacy, can produce several dynamic conditions such as urinary incontinence and urinary retention. Lower urinary tract symptoms increase with age in both sexes and are a major problem in older patients due to their medical and psychosocial consequences. For these reasons, in assessing urinary dysfunction in older patients., we should consider external circumstances such as polypharmacy, poor mobility, affective and cognitive disorders and also accessibility to housing. (C) 2016 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.