Diet as a risk factor for the development of stress urinary incontinence: a longitudinal study in women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between diet and the onset of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women aged 40 y plus.


METHODS
The Leicestershire MRC Incontinence Study - a prospective longitudinal study of the prevalence, incidence and aetiology of urinary symptoms.


METHODS
A total of 5816 women aged 40 y plus and living in the community. Urinary symptoms were reported in a postal questionnaire at baseline and at 1-y follow-up. Dietary intake was assessed in a food frequency questionnaire at baseline.


RESULTS
Intakes of total fat, saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids were associated with an increased risk of SUI onset 1 y later. Of the micronutrients studied, zinc and vitamin B12 were positively associated with SUI onset.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this prospective study suggest there may be an aetiological association between certain components of the diet and the onset of SUI. The findings need confirming and possible mechanisms to explain these associations need further investigation.
Dallosso
H
H
Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, UK. Hmd2@le.ac.uk
Matthews
R
R
McGrother
C
C
Donaldson
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002979:Climacteric; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D004041:Dietary Fats; D015032:Zinc; D014805:Vitamin B 12