Chronic periodontitis and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: facts and figures.

INTRODUCTION

Sertraline is a widely prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with a favourable safety profile, though rare adverse effects may occur.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 73-year-old woman with generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder who developed new-onset urinary incontinence after initiation of sertraline. Symptoms improved with dose reduction but recurred at higher doses, suggesting a causal relationship. Management with clomipramine and solifenacin successfully resolved the urinary incontinence while maintaining psychiatric remission.

DISCUSSION: Our case contributes to the limited literature by documenting an elderly female patient who developed urinary incontinence secondary to sertraline, confirmed through a temporal association, dose--response relationship, and symptom resolution with targeted interventions.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of recognising uncommon SSRI side effects and tailoring management to balance efficacy and tolerability.

LEARNING POINTS: Sertraline can rarely cause urinary incontinence, with symptoms showing a dose-response relationship that improves after dose reduction.Recognition and management of this adverse effect (through dose adjustment, switching or adjunctive therapy) allows clinicians to maintain psychiatric remission while minimising distressing urinary symptoms.