title: Prevalence of female urinary incontinence and its impact on quality of life in a cluster population in the United Kingdom (UK): a community survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain the prevalence of urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms, impact on quality of life and help-seeking behaviour.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Urinary incontinence is common and will affect more individuals as the population ages. Estimates of the prevalence of urinary incontinence vary hugely. Additional information is required to inform resource allocation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based cross-sectional postal evaluation of all female patients over 21 years registered at a single medical practice in the United Kingdom.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 40% of respondents suffered urinary incontinence, which caused significant problems in 8.5%. Stress urinary incontinence was the most common type of incontinence while 10% had symptoms of voiding dysfunction. A total of 17% of women had sought professional help. Patients perceived that urinary incontinence was part of the natural ageing process and that there was a low expectation of successful treatment.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,University Hospital of North Staffordshire,UK.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,University Hospital of North Staffordshire,UK.
authors.forename: Manjula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Annappa
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,University Hospital of North Staffordshire,UK.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quigley
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,University Hospital of North Staffordshire,UK.
authors.forename: Davina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dracocardos
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust,Halifax,UK.
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bondili
authors.affiliation: 3Professor of General Practice Research,Keele University,Keele,Staffordshire,UK.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mallen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: community; female; survey; urinary incontinence