Negative impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life, a cross-sectional study among women aged 49-61 years enrolled in the GAZEL cohort.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to analyze the relations between severity of urinary incontinence (UI), defined as involuntary loss of urine considered to be a hygienic or social problem, and quality of life (QoL) among middle-aged French working women enrolled in a cohort study, while taking into account characteristics that may affect this relation.


METHODS
Data came from self-administered mail questionnaires completed by 2,640 women aged 49-61 years in the GAZEL cohort of utility company employees. The analysis considered social and demographic characteristics, lifestyle, hormone status, and body mass index. We used bivariate and multivariate analysis to study the associations between UI severity (measured by SANDVIK's index) and QoL scales (Contilife, specific for UI, and the generic Nottingham Health Profile).


RESULTS
The sample included 556 women (21%) with UI. QoL alterations associated with UI severity were observed for all six Contilife dimensions (daily and effort activities, self-image, emotional impact, sexuality, and well-being) and two dimensions of the NHP (pain and physical mobility). These results remain after adjustment for age, BMI, and living arrangements.


CONCLUSIONS
UI affects QoL even among women from a nonclinical population, and the more severe the UI, the more harmful the effect. These results raise the question of whether UI in its severe forms should be considered a disability because of its negative effects on mobility in daily life.
Saadoun
Karim
K
INSERM, UMR S149, IFR 69, Epidemiological Research on Perinatal Health and Women's Health, Villejuif, France.
Ringa
Virginie
V
Fritel
Xavier
X
Varnoux
Noëlle
N
Zins
Marie
M
Bréart
Gérard
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity / Q000502:physiology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology*