Handicaps associated with incontinence: implications for management.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to explore the relationship between dementia, impairment of mobility, and incontinence and the implications for management.


METHODS
The study was a survey of a sample population drawn from a general practice register.


METHODS
A large general practice serving the entire population of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.


METHODS
Of 1329 persons aged 75 or over, 1203 (90%) took part in the survey. Of non-responders, refusers accounted for 5%, deaths 4%, and failure to trace 1%.


RESULTS
12% of the population complained of incontinence. No more than 24% of these cases were demented. Dementia and isolated locomotor problems were significantly associated with presence of incontinence, but 31% of cases were completely free of either problem. A minimum estimate of 56% of cases of incontinence were considered to be due to local physical disorders of the bladder.


CONCLUSIONS
A search for local disorders causing incontinence is important, and more attention should be paid to the management of locomotor problems and possibly depression in the relief of incontinence.
McGrother
C W
CW
Department of Community Health, University of Leicester.
Jagger
C
C
Clarke
M
M
Castleden
C M
CM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*