Risk factors for urinary incontinence in nursing home residents.
OBJECTIVE
What are potential risk factors for urinary incontinence in nursing home residents older than 65 years at the time of admission and over time?


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from the Minimum Data Set of the Resident Assessment Instrument in a cross-section as well as a longitudinal section. The sample contained data of 2722 residents from 42 different geriatric and nursing homes in north-west Switzerland.


RESULTS
The cross-sectional analysis showed the variable "moving in bed" as the most important personal variable for incontinence at admission. LONGITUDINAL ANALYSES: The most important risk factor was 'moving in bed' as it continued its action even at 12 months. In a further analysis (incontinence one year after admission with the risk factors at admission) the items "long-term memory, state season and walking in room" were important factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that mental and physical exercises could be a way to reduce urinary incontinence. However, physical exercises would be the most important, because "moving in bed" continued its action even at 12 months. Despite some limitations attributable to the data collection, this is the first study in Switzerland to examine risk factors for urinary incontinence among nursing home residents.
Saxer
Susi
S
WE'G Institute for Post-Diploma Education in Health Professions, Aarau, Switzerland. susi.saxer@weg-edu.ch
Halfens
Ruud J G
RJ
Müller
Marianne
M
Dassen
Theo
T
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010343:Patient Admission; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*