The management of urinary incontinence in local authority residential homes for the elderly.
Urinary incontinence occurring at least once weekly was found in 32% of residents in 30 Local Authority Residential Homes for the Elderly. Incontinence was significantly commoner among female residents. One hundred and seventy-four incontinent residents were randomly selected in order to assess the effect of medical intervention (study group). A further 104 incontinent residents were selected to act as controls (control group). The vast majority of the study group showed evidence of chronic brain failure and 40% had impaired mobility. Almost half had been incontinent since admission. Urodynamic studies were required for management in only two (1.1%). Most (93%) were managed in accordance with a clinical diagnosis of an unstable bladder. There was a reduction in daytime incontinence in 40% of the study group, but this was matched by a reduction in 29% of the control group and the difference was not significant. The reduction in nocturnal incontinence in 41% of the treatment group was significantly different from 23% of the control group (P = 0.016).
D000368:Aged; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014563:Urodynamics