A population study of urinary incontinence and nocturia among women aged 20-59 years. Prevalence, well-being and wish for treatment.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to study urinary incontinence (UI) and nocturia in a female population; prevalence, effect on well-being, wish for treatment and result of treatment in primary health care.


METHODS
A postal questionnaire was sent to all women aged 20-59 years who were scheduled for gynecological health examination by midwives in a primary health care district during one year. Questions concerning well-being were based on the Gothenburg QOL instrument. All women with incontinence were offered treatment by a midwife and a family doctor.


RESULTS
Of the included 641 women, 491 (77%) answered the questionnaire. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 27.7%, 3.5% having daily leakage. Nocturia occurred in 32 women (6.5%), 12 of whom were also incontinent. Self-assessed health, sleep, fitness and satisfaction with work situation decreased significantly with increased frequency of incontinence. Well-being was not correlated to type of incontinence. Nocturia correlated to poor health and sleep. About a quarter of the incontinent women started treatment when offered and 80% of those who completed the treatment program were subjectively improved. Wish for treatment was directly correlated to frequency of incontinence but not to type.


CONCLUSIONS
Urinary incontinence and nocturia affect well-being in a negative way. Well-being and wish for treatment correlate to frequency of incontinence but not to type of incontinence. Most women with UI accept it, only about a quarter of incontinent women, or 6-7% of all women in the studied age group, want treatment. Treatment of female urinary incontinence in primary health care is successful.
Samuelsson
E
E
Uppsala University, Department of Family Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Victor
A
A
Tibblin
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy