title: Prevalence and correlates of urinary incontinence among older community-dwelling women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As the aging population in the United States grows, the investigation of urinary incontinence (UI) issues becomes increasingly important, especially among women. Using data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), we sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of UI among an ethnically diverse population of older community-dwelling women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 5374 female Californians aged 65 years or older participated in a population-based, cross-sectional random-digit-dialing telephone survey. The CHIS 2003 adult survey included 1 question for Californians aged 65 years or older about UI. Additional information collected via the self-reported survey included demographics (age, race/ethnicity, education, and household income), general health data (self-reported health status, height and weight, fall history, and special equipment needs), medical comorbidities, and health behaviors (tobacco use, physical activity, and hormone replacement therapy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated statewide female prevalence rate for UI was 24.4%. Prevalence rates increased with age. Urinary incontinence was significantly associated with poorer overall health (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.43; P < 0.001), decreased mobility (OR, 1.81; P = 0.004), current use of hormone replacement therapy (OR, 1.72; P < 0.001), being overweight or obese (OR, 1.60; P < 0.001), a history of falls (OR, 1.53; P = 0.002), and a history of heart disease (OR, 1.38; P = 0.010). After adjusting for all health factors, UI was not found to have any significant association with the level of education, household poverty status, or smoking status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urinary incontinence prevalence among this diverse group of older community-dwelling Californian women parallels that of other population-based studies. The CHIS demonstrated that poor health, increased BMI, falls, and decreased mobility are strongly correlated with UI.
authors.affiliation: From the *Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; †David Geffen School of Medicine, ‡Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, §Center for Health Policy Research, University of California, Los Angeles; and ∥Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bresee
authors.forename: Emily D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Dubina
authors.forename: Aqsa A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sevilla
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Karyn S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Eilber
authors.forename: Jennifer T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Anger
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*