title: Epidemiological aspects of urinary incontinence in a female population of an Italian region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence of female urinary incontinence (UI), risk factors, severity, and functional limitation using a cross-sectional survey in an Italian region.
  
  
  METHODS
  The method employed in this study was a questionnaire-based interview on non-institutionalized women. Outcomes were the UI prevalence, severity, associated factors, and functional limitation (ICIQ score).
  
  
  RESULTS
  From October 2008 to February 2009, 1,346 women were interviewed and 15.3% were affected by UI. Univariate analysis found different risk factors, but multivariate analysis revealed only pelvic floor surgery, diabetes, vaginal deliveries, age, and educational level as significant. The involuntary loss of stools was more common in incontinent patients compared with healthy participants. The ICIQ values were significantly different between healthy and incontinent participants and a positive correlation existed with the estimated daily urine loss (r = 0.885, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptoms of UI affected a substantial proportion of the population investigated. Pelvic floor surgery, diabetes, and vaginal deliveries are the most significant risk factors implicated.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alvaro
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Araco
authors.forename: Gianpiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gravante
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorge
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Overton
authors.forename: Ercole
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vellone
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piccione
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*