title: The prevalence of and potential risk factors for female urinary incontinence in Beijing, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey and evaluate the prevalence and potential risk factors of female urinary incontinence (UI) in Beijing, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based cross-sectional study was performed from April to July 2005. We randomly sampled 1.0% of female residents aged 20 years and older from year 2000 national census data, totaling 5,300 women. All of the women were interviewed face to face using a modified questionnaire based on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. Data were collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of female UI was 38.5%. Prevalence rates of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), female urge urinary incontinence, and female mixed urinary incontinence were 22.9%, 2.8%, and 12.4%, respectively. The prevalence rate of female UI was more than 50% in postmenopausal women. In multiple logistic models, multiple vaginal deliveries (odds ratio [OR]=2.1; 95% CI: 1.443-3.179), age (OR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.039-2.742), postmenopausal status (OR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.182-1.983), chronic pelvic pain (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.134-1.814), obesity (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.205-1.721), lack of exercise (OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.105-1.509), constipation (OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.109-1.586), and hypertension (OR=1.2; 95% CI: 1.053-1.474) were identified as potential risk factors of female SUI. No association between female SUI and offspring birth weight, occupation, or chronic diseases was observed in this study. Only 12.8% of women with UI and 7.4% of women with SUI seek medical help.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UI is a major disorder that affects female quality of life. The prevalence of female UI is high (38.5%) in Beijing. Among the different types of UI, SUI was the most prevalent (22.9%). Potential risk factors identified for female SUI were multiple vaginal deliveries, age, postmenopausal status, chronic pelvic pain, obesity, lack of exercise, constipation, and hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Zhu_Julie@sina.com
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jinghe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shaomei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jianshi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000453:epidemiology*; D053202:Urinary Incontinence, Urge / Q000453:epidemiology*