title: Quality of life of Brazilian women with urinary incontinence and the impact on their sexual function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexual function may be affected in women with urinary incontinence (UI), but data regarding this association are controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of sociodemographic characteristics in the sexual function of Brazilian women with UI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study with 251 women with UI in the period from April to June 2014. Firstly, sociodemographic and pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD) characteristics were compared between groups of women with and without sexual activity. Secondly, we compared the variables above with the total score of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and/or Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). For continuous variables, we used the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test; for categorical variables we used the chi-square statistic considering the difference of p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with sexual activity tend to be younger, to be premenopausal, have a steady partner and not be hypertensive. The mean total score of PISQ-12 was 27.30. Women who attended elementary school, with coital UI, with moderate constipation and symptomatic prolapse have worse sexual function. Premenopausal women with mixed urinary incontinence have worse sexual function than those with stress urinary incontinence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association between sexual dysfunction and UI deserves special attention from health professionals. The care of the maintenance or restoration of sexual well-being should be offered to all women, regardless of age, since UI may affect sexual life and QoL of these women.
authors.affiliation: Master's in Public Health, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Electronic address: sara_arcanjo@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sara A L
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Karbage
authors.affiliation: Master's in Public Health, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Zélia M S A
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Master's in Public Health, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mirna A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Frota
authors.affiliation: Master's in Administration, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Heber J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: de Moura
authors.affiliation: Nurse Department, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila T M
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology Department, Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Ananias Vasconcelos
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology Department, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonardo R P S
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Bezerra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D066252:Sociological Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Public health; Quality of life; Sexual dysfunction; Urinary incontinence