Types of Urinary Incontinence Prevalent among Kuwaiti Women with Type Two Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the types of urinary incontinence prevalent among Kuwaiti women with Type two Diabetes Mellitus attending the outpatient clinic at the Urology center and suggest appropriate nursing interventions. Urinary incontinence is not a life threatening condition but it can be emotionally devastating and therefore affects the sufferer's quality of life. This cross-sectional descriptive survey consisted of 250 Kuwaiti women with type two diabetes mellitus receiving treatment at the outpatient department at Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Center, Kuwait. The questionnaire comprised of a total of 33 questions, twelve of which explored participants' socio demographic characteristics, risk factors and symptoms of their urinary incontinence. The remaining 21 items were adapted from King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) formulated in 1997 at King's college, London, for the assessment of quality of life in women with urinary incontinence. Data collection was from February to May 2014. The result revealed that mixed urinary incontinence was the most prevalent type of urinary incontinence affecting Kuwaiti women with type two diabetes mellitus. Symptoms of both stress incontinence and urge incontinence (Over active bladder) were not mutually exclusive as they were present in 247 (98.8%) and 240 (96%) of the participants respectively. Key risk factors for developing incontinence were over three years duration of diabetes mellitus in 115 (56%) and delivery of one or more children reported by 206 (82%) of the participants. Analysis and result of King Health Questionnaire on quality of life will be reported in separate paper on the psychosocial impact of urinary incontinence on diabetic Kuwaiti women. In conclusion, urinary incontinence had a devastating effect on the lives of sufferers and therefore should be prevented at all cost by nurses providing anticipatory guidance to all pregnant and diabetic women and routinely teaching pelvic floor exercises to all postnatal women. However, in the event that there are symptoms of urinary incontinence then thorough investigation and early treatment is advocated.

The prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence amongst Palestinian women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study

“…Whilst, other countries have a higher prevalence of UI, e.g. the United Arab Emirates (63%) [4] and Kuwait (95.2%) [15].…”

“…A study in Qatar showed that UI had a moderate-to-severe impact on QoL in 42.6% and a severe impact in 49.8% of the women [19]. In Kuwait, 52% of women reported that they were either not affected 'at all' or only had 'little' impact on their lives [15]. Such findings could be attributed to the fact that the rating of QoL may be different between people depending on socioeconomic class, education, co-morbidities, political stability, and other factors.…”