Urinary incontinence and risk of death among community-living elderly people: results from the National Survey on Self-Care and Aging.
OBJECTIVE
The authors explored whether urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with higher mortality and, if so, whether adjustment for demographics, health, and functional status diminishes the association.


METHODS
The Cox proportional hazards model was used with a nationally representative sample of community-living elderly people (N = 3,485).


RESULTS
In an analysis adjusted for age, gender, education, and probability sampling design, participants with mild to moderate UI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.08) and severe UI (HR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.03-2.29) experienced a higher risk of death.  Adjustment for health and functional status diminished the association of UI and risk of death (mild to moderate UI, HR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.85-1.68; severe UI, HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.59-1.39).


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between UI and mortality in older adults can largely be understood on the basis of increased frailty in incontinent individuals.
Johnson
T M
TM
Extended Care, Atlanta VA Medical Center, USA.
Bernard
S L
SL
Kincade
J E
JE
Defriese
G H
GH
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000401:mortality