Urinary incontinence in Northern Ireland: a prevalence study

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence of urinary inconto 12.3% (85) of the total study population. Age (x2= 20.34; P<0.001) and parity (Mann-Whitney U-test, tinence in a Northern Ireland community drawn from four neighbouring geographical areas and to assess P< 0.001) were associated with urinary incontinence, with a higher proportion of women aged 45-54 years factors predisposing to the development of urinary incontinence.having urinary incontinence. The menopause and postnatal pelvic floor exercises were not associated Subjects and methods A three-page self-administered postal questionnaire was sent to 1050 women (age with urinary incontinence. distribution, geographical representation and social class, derived from the Townsend Index of material deprivation, based on ward area [6]. The respondents and those not 47370.5; P<0.001). The prevalence of urinary incontinence increased with successive pregnancies up to three responding were also compared.To ensure confidentiality, subjects were identified ( Results(235) of the 588 parous women. There was no statistically significant diCerence in urinary incontinence The pilot response rate was 48% (24/50); two questionnaires were returned marked 'wrong address'. No changes between parous women who had performed postnatal pelvic floor exercises and those who did not, at 64.3% to the questionnaire were necessary as all were completed well. The overall response rate after the pilot study and (151) Discussion who had urinary incontinence; this equates to 12.3% (85, 95% CI 9.9-14.9) of the women in the survey.Urinary incontinence occurred once monthly or less in 34% of respondents, at least twice monthly in 23% and Most women were parous (85.3%, 588); nulliparous women had significantly lower levels of urinary incontiwas suBciently severe to require sanitary protection in 22% of these women. Overall, this equates to a 12% nence than parous women (Mann-Whitney U-test U= Burgio and Engel [7] also reported that women were twice as likely to seek help when populations; these are considerably lower than the prevalence rate found in the present study.incontinence was severe. Despite this, almost 60% of those requiring sanitary protection did not consult their Controversy exists as to the relative importance of successive pregnancies. Whilst neurophysiological evidoctors. The most common reason given for this deficiency was that the women could 'live with' their dence suggests that damage occurs after the first childbirth [9] others report an increasing prevalence of disability. Surprisingly, embarrassment about their incontinence was not a major factor in their reticence urinary incontinence with increased parity

Reliability of pelvic floor muscle strength measurement in elderly incontinent women

“…To keep the collective as homogenous as possible, we only included postmenopausal women. It has been proposed that the prevalence of urinary incontinence is higher in the perimenopause, but this could not be veri¢ed [Dolan et al, 1999]. However, it is known that ageing may a¡ect the lower urinary tract in several ways, creating a predisposition to incontinence [Resnick and Yalla, 1985].…”

The extent and severity of urinary incontinence amongst women in UK GP waiting rooms

“…Overall, about half of those with moderate or severe urinary incontinence and over half of those with daily episodes of urinary incontinence (Table 6) do not seek help. Previous studies have reported help-seeking as being around 8.8, 19 20, 22 12.8, 20 and 25% 1 of incontinent women. This demonstrates that although the present sample were accessing primary care services they were no more likely to consult about their symptoms than a general population sample.…”

A study of quality of life in primigravidae with urinary incontinence

“…interviewed primigravidae at 34-40 weeks. At interview, women were invited to participate and they self-completed a structured urinary incontinence questionnaire, adapted from a previous study [9]. On the urinary incontinence questionnaire, women were asked if they had experienced any urinary incontinence within the last 3 months and indicated the frequency and circumstances of this symptom.…”

“…At 3-5 days postpartum, women were asked to self-complete the structured urinary incontinence questionnaire in which they were asked if they had experienced any urinary incontinence since delivery [9]. Intrapartum details were obtained from obstetric notes and delivery suite computerised records.…”