title: Urinary incontinence among older women. Measurement of the effect on health-related quality of life.
abstract: For women, urinary incontinence and other related lower urinary tract symptoms (e.g., nocturia, urinary urgency, frequency) are common, often increasing as women age. Urinary incontinence, however, is more than just a physiologic loss of urine. Emotional distress is also a significant issue for incontinent individuals. Researchers and clinicians are increasingly aware of the importance of identifying urinary incontinence and, in particular, urinary incontinence that causes distress or adversely effects health-related quality of life. This article addresses the effect of urinary incontinence on health-related quality of life among elderly women. Selected methods for evaluating health-related quality of life are highlighted and discussed. Suggestions are included for gerontological nurses interested in evaluating the effect of urinary incontinence on older women.
authors.affiliation: Adult Health and Gerontology NP Programs, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, 420 Guardian Drive, Room 143, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6096, USA.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bradway
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health