[Expectancy in urinary incontinence treatment from the perspective of an elderly population].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the attitudes of community-dwelling elderly patients about the possibilities for cure of urinary incontinence.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
A specific questionnaire on urinary incontinence and the Barthel Index Modified by Shah.


METHODS
Basic Health Zone of Cabra (Córdoba, Spain).


METHODS
A random age-stratified sample of 793 patients selected from a total of 5139 persons > or = 65 years of age.


METHODS
Home interview on urinary incontinence (presence, characteristics, patient attitude regarding possibilities for cure).


RESULTS
Forty-eight percent of elderly persons felt that incontinence could be cured, 21% thought that it could be improved, 9% stated that nothing could be done about it and the remaining 22% had no opinion. A significant association was found between the type of response and age, sex, state of health as perceived by the subject and level of self-care. The presence of incontinence did not influence the nature of the responses given by patients about the possibilities for successful treatment of incontinence.


CONCLUSIONS
Our elderly persons were not aware of the possibilities for treatment of incontinence, a fact that may have a negative impact on sufferers seeking help for this remediable problem.
Gavira Iglesias
F J
FJ
Centro de Salud de Cabra, Córdoba. med015490@nacom.es
Caridad y Ocerín
J M
JM
Pavón Aranguren
M V
MV
Romero López
M
M
López Pérez
M
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*