[Study of the prevalence of urinary incontinence in women from 18 to 65 and its influence on their quality of life].
OBJECTIVE
To find the prevalence of urinary incontinence (IU) in women of working age and its impact on their quality of life (QL).


METHODS
Descriptive, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Urban health district in Ourense.


METHODS
1000 women between 18 and 65 were selected at random from a total of 8443.


METHODS
The prevalence of UI was evaluated by means of a questionnaire designed for the study and sent by mail. In addition, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire translated into Spanish was used. This was to assess QL in women with UI.


RESULTS
The reply rate was 43.6%, with 20% prevalence of UI. Mean age of the women studied was 43.4 (95% CI, 42.1-44.6); and for those with UI, 50.3 (95% CI, 48.4-52.4). 56.8% of women with UI had not been to the doctor. Mean score of impact on QL (from 0 to 90) was 12.7 points. 87.7% of those affected scored less than 30 points; and 1.5% were above 60 points.


CONCLUSIONS
High prevalence of UI was found in women of working age, with low rate of medical consultation, probably because for most women it only lightly affected their QL.
Centro de Salud Mariñamansa, Ourense, Spain. mjmodfree@yahoo.es
M J
MJ
Modroño Freire
M J
MJ
Sánchez Cougil
P
P
Gayoso Diz
M
M
Valero Paternain
M
M
Blanco Ramos
F O
FO
Cuña Ramos
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*