Female urinary incontinence in the west of Turkey: prevalence, risk factors and impact on quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI), and to assess its impact on quality of life (QOL) in Turkish women.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 1012 women aged over 18 years were interviewed through a questionnaire including 'International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form'.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of UI was 23.9% (n=242). Among these women, 62 (25.6%) had urge, 80 (33.1%) stress and 100 (41.3%) mixed type UI. The prevalence rate increased with advancing age. Eighty-nine women (36.8%) stated to have urinary leakage at least once a day or more, while 153 (63.2%) women were experiencing less than twice a week. UI was significantly associated with fecal incontinence, hypertension, history of nocturnal enuresis, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Overall, 211 (87.2%) women stated that UI have negative impact on the QOL. This effect remained mostly at the mild or moderate level. Although many (87.2%) had intention for medical assistance, only a few (14.9%) had realized it. Women with urge UI and aged 40 to 50 years looked for more assistance than others.


CONCLUSIONS
UI affect approximately one of four Turkish women. The results emphasize the need for taking preventive measures and policy development for UI.
Kocak
Izzet
I
Department of Urology, Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, 09100 Aydn, Turkey. ikocak@adu.edu.tr
Okyay
Pinar
P
Dundar
Mehmet
M
Erol
Haluk
H
Beser
Erdal
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*