Urinary incontinence and the association with depression, stress, and self-esteem in older Korean Women

Abstract

The objectives were to investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and its relationships with depression, stress, and self-esteem in older Korean women from the Korean Study of Women’s Health Related Issues (K-Stori), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. A total of 3000 women between 65 and 79 years were the final study subjects. We applied multiple linear regression models to analyze associations with depression, stress, and self-esteem levels in relation to UI types. Types of urinary incontinence included stress, urge, and mixed UI. UI affects at least one in two older Korean women (52.2%). The prevalences of SUI, UUI, and MUI were 45.7%, 39.6%, and 33.1%, respectively. UI was found to be adversely associated with depression, stress, and self-esteem: women with UI reported significantly higher levels of depression and stress and lower levels of self-esteem than those without UI. Women with MUI reported significantly greater impairment than the women with SUI or UUI. Our results provide an evidence base for the evaluation of mental health in older women with incontinence. The prioritization of UI detection and the identification of psychological factors may help improve the diagnosis and management of UI and potentially yield significant economic and psychosocial benefits.

Psychosocial Experiences of Older Women in the Management of Urinary Incontinence: A Qualitative Study

“…Previous studies also indicated that the incidence of psychosocial complications was associated with urinary incontinence. Accordingly, older people with urinary incontinence had a weaker psychosocial health status ( Chiu et al, 2020 ; Omu et al, 2020 ; Lee et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In the present research, the participants frequently blamed themselves for not having paid attention to the primary symptoms of the disease, not having taken timely measures for treating the disease and not having cared for themselves in this respect. Various studies have also revealed self-blame among patients with urinary incontinence, which was effective in their mental health ( Mason et al, 1999 ; Teunissen et al, 2006 ; Avery et al, 2013 ; Senra and Pereira, 2015 ; Lee et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that urinary incontinence was associated with depression, stress, and self-esteem. Accordingly, women with urinary incontinence reported significantly higher levels of depression and stress and lower self-esteem levels than those without this problem ( Lee et al, 2021 ). On the other hand, the findings of another study on the psychosocial impacts of urinary incontinence on women’s quality of life showed that the psychosocial effects of urine leakage like anxiety, isolation, low self-esteem, and depression could worsen the symptoms of urinary incontinence.…”

The Development and Implementation of a Physical Therapy Service to treat Urinary Incontinence: Results of a RE-AIM Evaluation

“…First, since UI symptoms were self-reported, it is likely that we may have over-or underestimated the prevalence. However, the validity of self-reported UI, compared with clinical diagnosis, has been established in previous research (Lee., 2021). Second, this study was carried out at the community level, with the prediction that it would be implemented as a permanent program.…”

“…UI affects emotional well-being more than anything else. Half to one-third of the patients experienced higher levels of depression and stress and lower levels of self-esteem (Lee et al, 2021). Individuals of all ages are faced with physical, emotional, sexual and nancial changes (Landefeld et al, 2008).…”