Urinary incontinence and health-related quality of life among older Americans with and without cancer: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have investigated the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among cancer survivors. UI is prevalent in the general population and can be both an indicator of cancer and a side effect of cancer treatment. UI and cancer diagnoses have been associated with decreases in HRQOL. This study evaluates the prevalence of UI and the impact on HRQOL among older cancer survivors.


METHODS
The prevalence of UI among cancer survivors (breast, prostate, bladder, colorectal, lung, and endometrial/uterine cancers) and those without cancer was estimated using the SEER-MHOS database. Factors associated with UI were investigated using logistic regression and the impact of UI on SF-36 scores was determined using linear regression.


RESULTS
Over 36% of SEER-MHOS beneficiaries without cancer reported UI and higher prevalence was noted among cancer survivors (37%-54% depending on cancer type). History of bladder, breast, endometrial/uterine, or prostate cancer was associated with higher prevalence of UI. UI was independently associated with both lower physical component scores (PCS) (-1.27; 95%CI:-1.34,-1.20) and mental component scores (MCS) (-1.75; 95%CI -1.83, -1.68). A suggested decreasing trend in the prevalence of UI was associated with a longer time since cancer diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
UI was highly prevalent, especially in bladder, endometrial/uterine, and prostate cancer survivors. Improved recognition of UI risk among cancer survivors will help clinicians better anticipate and mediate the effect of UI on individuals' HRQOL.
Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. whitea@unc.edu
Alexandra J
AJ
White
Bryce B
BB
Reeve
Ronald C
RC
Chen
Angela M
AM
Stover
Debra E
DE
Irwin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D018426:SEER Program; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*