Classification of incontinence.

Area of Science:

• Clinical Medicine
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Medical Classification Systems

Background:

• Existing disease and disorder classifications lack comprehensive categorization for handicaps.
• There is a need for a standardized clinical definition and classification of incontinence.
• A broader classification of handicaps is under development to supplement current systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To offer a clinical definition of incontinence for consideration.
• To present a clinical classification of various forms of incontinence.
• To integrate incontinence into a wider classification of handicaps.

Main Methods:

• Development of a clinical definition for incontinence.
• Establishment of a hierarchical classification for incontinence within a broader handicap framework.
• Distinguishing nine major categories of handicaps.

Main Results:

• Incontinence is defined clinically.
• A classification system for incontinence is proposed.
• Incontinence is classified as a "disorder of excretion," a division of "visceral handicap."

Conclusions:

• The proposed classification provides a structured approach to understanding and defining incontinence.
• Incontinence is systematically categorized within a broader framework of human handicaps.
• This classification aids in supplementing existing medical and disorder classifications.