Urinary incontinence in women: prevalence, characteristics and effect on quality of life. A primary care clinic study.
BACKGROUND
Urinary incontinence in older women is common. Its characteristics and impact on quality of life is not well established since these women are usually reluctant to tell their healthcare providers about the problem.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the characteristics of urinary incontinence in women and the manner in which it affects patients' quality of life.


METHODS
Twenty family physicians were requested to distribute a questionnaire to the first 25 consecutive women aged 30 to 75 years who visited their clinic for any reason. The questionnaire covered general health issues, symptoms of urinary incontinence, and quality of life.


RESULTS
A total of 418 women, mean age 50.0 +/- 11.8 years, completed the questionnaire (84% response rate). Of these, 148 (36%) reported having episodes of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence was found to be associated with older age, menopause, obesity and coexisting chronic disorders. Sixty percent of the women with urinary incontinence found it to be a disturbing symptom, and 44% reported that it had a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Only 32% of the affected women had sought medical advice, half of them from their family physician. Treatment was recommended to 66% of those who sought help, and in about two-thirds of these it brought some measure of relief.


CONCLUSIONS
Urinary incontinence is a common complaint among women attending primary care clinics, but it does not receive appropriate attention. Though it often adversely affects quality of life, only a small proportion of women seek medical advice. Family physicians should raise the issue as a part of the routine general health check-up.
Vinker
S
S
Department of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus), Petah Tiqva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. vinker01@inter.net.il
Kaplan
B
B
Nakar
S
S
Samuels
G
G
Shapira
G
G
Kitai
E
E
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health