The impact of urinary incontinence on falls: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective Previous studies on the association between urinary incontinence (UI) and falls have reported conflicting results. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate and clarify this association through a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies. Methods We performed a literature search for relevant studies in databases including PubMed and EMBASE from inception up to December 13, 2020, using several search terms related to UI and falls. Based on the data reported in these studies, we calculated the pooled odds ratios (ORs) for falls and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Results This meta-analysis included 38 articles and a total of 230,129 participants. UI was significantly associated with falls (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.45–1.83). Subgroup analyses based on the age and sex of the participants revealed a significant association between UI and falls in older (≥65 years) participants (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.31–1.93), and in both men (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.57–2.25) and women (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.29–1.54). Subgroup analysis based on the definition of falls revealed a significant association between UI and falls (≥1 fall event) (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.42–1.82) and recurrent falls (≥2 fall events) (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.49–1.78). According to the UI type, a significant association between UI and falls was observed in patients with urgency UI (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.15–1.70) and those with stress UI (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.39–2.15). Conclusions This meta-analysis, which was based on evidence from a review of the published literature, clearly demonstrated that UI is an important risk factor for falls in both general and older populations.

The Relationship Between Nocturia and Mortality: Data From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…Second, we excluded many participants due to missing data and conducted our research as a cross-sectional study, resulting in limited power. Several studies have found a relationship between nocturia and hip fractures in older people, and nocturia among these older populations is likely to cause hip fractures and death [ 25 , 26 ]. However, we did not have data to determine the association between nocturia and the risk of hip fractures and subsequent mortality risk in this population.…”

Urininkontinenz

“…Im Zusammenspiel von Multimorbidität, Umgebungsfaktoren und weiteren Kontextfaktoren, die sich gegenseitig beeinflussen können, muss dies bei der Diagnostik und der Therapie berücksichtigt werden. Inkontinenz selbst führt zu vermehrter Immobilität, damit zu Stürzen bei Älteren und zu seelischen Beeinträchtigungen [8]. Dies kann wiederum Inkontinenz befördern.…”

Urinary Incontinence and Its Association with Physical and Psycho-Cognitive Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Older People Living in Nursing Homes

“…UI is the objectively demonstrable involuntary loss of urine that increases the subject's frailty, their physical inactivity, their risk of falls, and their immobility; decreases their functional independence; and has negative physiological effects due to hygienic problems [4,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Also, UI greatly impacts on psychological health, severely affects normal social interaction and leisure activities, increases the risk of self-imposed isolation and cognitive impairment, and decreases satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) [10,[18][19][20][21][22].…”