The Effect of Incontinence Severity on Symptom Distress, Quality of Life, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function in Turkish Women with Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of the present study was to compare the differences in symptom distress, quality of life, and pelvic floor muscle function among Turkish women with mild, moderate, or severe urinary incontinence.</p><p><strong>Study design:</strong> One hundred and twenty women with a diagnosis of urinary incontinence (54.2% stress urinary incontinence and 45.8% mixed-urinary incontinence) participated in the present study. The severity of the urinary incontinence was stratified by the Incontinence Severity Index. The Turkish versions of the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 were used to assess symptom distress and quality of life, respectively. Pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance were measured using a non-invasive vaginal perineometer.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Symptom distress and quality of life significantly differed among the mild, moderate, and severe urinary incontinence groups (<em>p</em><0.001). Patients with severe stress urinary incontinence displayed a higher decrease in quality of life than those with mild stress urinary incontinence (<em>p</em><0.001). Furthermore, severe mixed urinary incontinence had a greater impact on symptom distress and quality of life compared to mild and moderate mixed urinary incontinence (<em>p</em><0.05). The Incontinence Severity Index score was significantly associated with the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 scores (<em>p</em><0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Urinary incontinence affected the symptom distress and quality of life of patients in proportion to the severity of the symptoms. Therefore, the relationship between the severity of urinary incontinence and patients’ quality of life should be evaluated in clinical settings. To prevent the greater influence of incontinence on the quality of life of women with urinary incontinence, early detection of urinary incontinence and early management strategies are essential.</p>

Effect of home-based core exercises on postpartum stress urinary incontinence during COVID-19 pandemic in Jeddah city: a randomised control trial

“…Moreover, Kamel et al [30] noticed that twelve weeks of abdominal muscle strength exercise was more effective in treating obese patients with SUi than PFMT. Another study, by Khan et al [31], found that women aged 30 to 45 with SUi improved significantly in SUi and QoL after performing the core muscles and PFMT for six weeks with five sessions per week.…”

Coping Strategies with Stress Urinary Incontinence among Menopausal Women

“…Similar results were observed by Singh et al (2015) (17) who noted that half of study subjects have moderate urinary incontinence. Orhan C et al (2019) (18) studied the "Effect of incontinence severity on symptom distress, quality of life, and pelvic floor muscle function in Turkish women with urinary incontinence" reported that two-thirds of study subjects had mild and moderate degrees urinary incontinence. On the other hand, Kobashi (2011) (19) concluded that stress urinary incontinence generally considered majority of studied women were mild degree who only experience light leakage during vigorous activity such as playing sports or exercising, or while sneezing, laughing and coughing.…”