Detrusor instability is primarily associated with which type of incontinence?

Detrusor instability, also known as overactive bladder, is characterized by involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle during the filling phase, leading to a strong and often urgent need to urinate. This involuntary activity results in a loss of bladder control, which is the hallmark of urge incontinence.

In urge incontinence, individuals experience a sudden and intense urge to urinate, which can be difficult to control and often leads to involuntary leakage of urine before reaching the toilet. This condition is primarily a result of neurological signals causing the bladder to contract at inappropriate times, which is exactly what happens with detrusor instability.

This type of incontinence is distinct from other forms, such as mixed incontinence, which combines elements of both urge and stress incontinence, or overflow incontinence, where the bladder overfills and leaks due to poor bladder muscle contraction or obstruction. Functional incontinence, on the other hand, involves a lack of ability to reach the toilet in time due to physical or cognitive impairments, rather than detrusor instability.

Thus, urge incontinence is directly linked to the involuntary contractions associated with detrusor instability, making it the correct identification of this condition's main association.