Continence pads: have we got it right?
Women listed in the Croydon Community Continence database were contacted with a self-assessment questionnaire regarding continence pad usage and quality of life. Completed questionnaires were received from 763 of 1509 (51%) participants. Pads were used for bladder dysfunction (88.1%) and bowel dysfunction (44%). The majority (82.5%) had concurrent medical disorders and problems with mobility with 77.5% being on one or more types of medication. Nearly 39% of women claimed that they would be happy to continue pad use indefinitely and only 28% expressed interest in seeking further help. Compared to bowel dysfunction, bladder dysfunction appeared to have a greater impact on women's quality of life (P < 0.001). Containment products make a substantial contribution in improving the quality of lives of women with bowel and bladder dysfunction. The financial burden of containment products has a major impact on the health budget and therefore, comprehensive clinical evaluation should be mandatory before relegating women to pads as a final resort.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mayday University Hospital, Croydon, Surrey, UK.
Dhiraj
D
Uchil
Ranee
R
Thakar
Abdul H
AH
Sultan
Joy
J
Seymour
Ray
R
Addison
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003142:Communication; D041382:Diapers, Adult / Q000191:economics; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D016496:Incontinence Pads / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy