Urinary incontinence in women is not exclusively a medical problem: a population-based study on urinary incontinence and general living conditions.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to analyse differences in general health and general living conditions between women with and without urinary incontinence (UI).


METHODS
This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Orebro County, Sweden. A public health questionnaire, "Life and Health", was sent to a randomly selected sample of the population. The questionnaire consisted of 87 questions on broad aspects of general and psychiatric health. An additional questionnaire was enclosed for those respondents who reported experiencing UI. The data were analysed using binary logistic regression. The final study population constituted 4609 women, 1332 of whom had completed both questionnaires. The remaining 3277 had completed only the Life and Health questionnaire. Effect measures were odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).


RESULTS
Statistically significant associations were found between UI and the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.20-1.76), fatigue and sleeping disorders (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.30-1.95), feelings of humiliation (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.12-1.50), financial problems (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.11-1.66), and reluctance to seek medical care (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.21-1.68).


CONCLUSIONS
UI among women is commonly associated with a number of different psychosocial problems as well as an expressed feeling of vulnerability.
Franzén
Karin
K
School of Health and Medical Sciences, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden. karin.franzen@orebroll.se
Johansson
Jan-Erik
JE
Andersson
Gunnel
G
Pettersson
Nicklas
N
Nilsson
Kerstin
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult