Prevalence of urinary incontinence among Spanish older people living at home.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence and characteristics of urinary incontinence (UI) in the noninstitutionalized elderly population of Madrid, Spain.


METHODS
We carried out a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of all community-dwelling people aged 65 or over. Subjects were interviewed in their homes. The question: Do you currently experience any difficulty in controlling your urine? . In other words, does your urine escape involuntarily? was used to identify UI. Type of UI, use of absorbents and specific drugs were also assessed, as well as consultation behavior.


RESULTS
589 persons were interviewed (response rate: 71.2%). The prevalence of UI was 15.5%. No significant difference was observed between men and women. Urge UI was the main type for men and mixed UI for women. Use of pads was referred by 20.2%. A total of 34.3% of subjects never went to the doctor for their problem (25.2% of men and 39.4% of women).


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to other populations the overall prevalence of UI in Spanish elders living at home is relatively high. A very small difference by gender was found, although a lower response rate in women could in part explain this unexpected finding.
Damián
J
J
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. jdamian@iscii.es
Martín-Moreno
J M
JM
Lobo
F
F
Bonache
J
J
Cerviño
J
J
Redondo-Márquez
L
L
Martínez-Agulló
E
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control