title: Frequency of urinary incontinence in people with chronic heart failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to examine the frequency and severity of urinary incontinence in people with heart failure (HF). Secondary aims were to determine the differences in known risk factors for those who were continent and incontinent, to investigate the correlates of urinary incontinence in people with HF, and to examine the relationship between urinary incontinence with medication adherence, in particular, diuretics, and quality of life.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Urinary incontinence is a common condition affecting older adults. However, the frequency of incontinence in people with HF remains largely unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive study. A convenience sample of 181 people with HF were surveyed to determine frequency, severity and presence of risk factors of urinary incontinence and dosages of prescribed HF medications. Instruments included the Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale, Medication Adherence Report Scale and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form. Regression analyses were used to examine relationships between variables and presence of urinary incontinence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-nine people responded (66% male, mean age 67 years), 44 (49%) self-reporting urinary incontinence. Of these, 30 (34%) respondents rated their incontinence severity as slight or moderate. More incontinent respondents took furosemide doses greater than 20 mg daily (P = 0.046) and low doses of beta-blockers compared with continent respondents (P = 0.002). Taking low doses of beta-blockers explained 23% of variance for urinary incontinence (r(2) = 0.23, P = 0.015). Incontinent respondents reported altering or missing a diuretic dose (P < 0.02) compared with those who were continent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequency of urinary incontinence in this group of people with HF appears high. It appears that screening for urinary incontinence may be important as part of routine care in HF management programmes. In addition, awareness of dosages of furosemide and beta-blockers and in particular, adherence to diuretics also should be monitored. Prospective studies investigating these issues and the effect of targeted interventions are required.
authors.affiliation: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia. hwang_r@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chuan
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuys
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult