The prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence in women.

Abstract

SUMMARY One thousand and sixty women aged 18 or over, randomly selected from a defined geographical area in South Wales, were interviewed at home about their urinary symptoms. Ninety-five per cent co-operated, of whom 45% admitted to some degree of incontinence. 'Stress' incontinence was reported by 22% of women, 'urge' incontinence by 10%, and both types combined-'complex'-by 14%. In most women urinary loss was both small and infrequent but 5% of all women experienced a loss sufficient to necessitate a change of clothes; in 2-6% such loss occurred daily. Over 3% of all women reported that incontinence interfered with their social or domestic life but only half of these had sought medical advice.Urinary incontinence is a troublesome and probably underreported1 disorder in women. Its prevalence in the general community is unknown. The purpose of the present report is to measure the prevalence and severity of incontinence, and to estimate its social consequences among women from a South Wales community. MethodA random sample of 1140 women was drawn from the electoral register for a defined geographical area in South Wales centred on a light industrial town (population 38 000). Each of the selected women was sent a letter explaining the study and then visited by one of five female interviewers who had been trained by the first author in interviews in a cervical cytology clinic. A standard questionnaire,* which had been developed for an earlier survey,2 was used throughout. In order to minimise embarrassment, questions were asked first on general medical history and then on urinary symptoms and incontinence.These latter questions referred to a period of 12 'Copies of the appropriate sections of the questionnaire can be obtained from the authors. months before each interview and unless otherwise stated the results refer to the prevalence of incontinence during a period of 12 months.A symptomatic classification of the type of incontinence was derived from a section of the questionnaire. This is similar to that used in a study in

An observational study of effect on quality of life in perimenopausal females suffering from urinary incontinence

“…In other similar study, the reported prevalence was 21.87%. [13][14][15] Prevalence of various types of incontinence in our studies, were similar to the study conducted by Kumari et al, who reported the overall prevalence of UI as 12%, among whom 46% had stress incontinence, 26% had urge, and 28% had mixed type. 14 In another study, the prevalence of stress, mixed, and urge type was 16.13%, 3.67%, and 2.07%, respectively.…”

Study of Common Urinary Problems of Females at a Government Hospital in Central India

“…According to many studies prevalence of urinary incontinence ranged from 5% to 72% among community-dwelling women [7][8][9]. Our results of urinary incontinence lie in the lower end of the range because in our country urine leak is considered an age related problem and consultation is not sought because of embarrassment.…”

An Analytical Study of Common Urinary Problems in Females

“…(6) 27.6% of patients suffered from urinary incontinence (Stress, urge and mixed) According to many studies prevalence of urinary incontinence ranged from 5% to 72% among community dwelling women. (7)(8)(9) our results of urinary incontinence lie in the lower end of the range because in our country urine leak is considered an age related problem and consultation is not sought because of embarrassment, lack of awareness and low education level.…”

“…(6) 27.6% of patients suffered from urinary incontinence (Stress, urge and mixed) According to many studies prevalence of urinary incontinence ranged from 5% to 72% among community dwelling women. (7)(8)(9) our results of urinary incontinence lie in the lower end of the range because in our country urine leak is considered an age related problem and consultation is not sought because of embarrassment, lack of awareness and low education level.Urge incontinence was found relatively more common in our study as compared to stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is more common than urge incontinence according to many studies (9,10) this difference is in the structure of society and the psychosocial problems faced by Indian women.…”