Urinary incontinence in Belgium: a population-based epidemiological survey.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence, typology, and experience of urinary incontinence, as well as the available therapeutic modalities and information sources among people living at home in Belgium.


METHODS
A representative population sample of 5,269 adults completed a questionnaire in their own homes. There were 2,499 men and 2,770 women aged 30 years and over.


RESULTS
130 men (5.2%) and 442 women (16.30%) had urinary incontinence at the time of the survey. Of 1,426 women aged over 50 years, 300 (21.0%) had urinary incontinence. 17.4% of the incontinent people experience several episodes daily. In women, incontinence increases with parity. Stress incontinence is by far the most common form of the disease (42%); 53% of incontinent women (9.9% of the female population) experience this kind of disorder. Overall, 95% of stress incontinent people are women. The relative frequency of urge incontinence is similar in both sexes (males 45%; females 55%). Urinary incontinence is considered as bothersome by about 30% of the affected subjects; 7 of 10 subjects with daily incontinence episodes consider the disorder as more or less bothersome. 29.9% of affected people report that they discuss the problem with their general practitioner, 11.4% with a specialist, 25.3% with their spouse or partner, and 17.4% with a family member. Of course, people who consider the disease as bothersome score higher on these items. On the other hand, 32.1% do not reveal the problem. Although 72.5% of incontinent people are aware of protection systems, the main therapeutic modalities are not very well known (drugs 33.9%; surgery 24.7%). Most people with incontinence (70-75%) take no specific measures, 20% use pads, panty liners or nappies, and only 9% look for a curative measure. The preferred information source is the family physician for 50%, the specialist physician for 11%, and the pharmacist for 9%. The role of the mass media is equivalent to that of specialist physicians and pharmacists.


CONCLUSIONS
Incontinence has a profound effect on daily life, and is still considered by many as 'taboo'. An appropriate information system, in which the general practitioner plays a key role, is obviously desirable.
Schulman
C
C
Department of Urology, Erasmus University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
Claes
H
H
Matthijs
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy