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[A survey on urinary incontinence in the institutionalized elderly]
Y Homma1, K Takai, S Takahashi
1Department of Urology, University of Tokyo.
Summary
Urinary incontinence affects two-thirds of institutionalized elderly, with nearly half experiencing severe leakage. This high prevalence necessitates urgent development of effective treatments for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Urology
- Public Health
Context:
- Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant health issue in institutionalized elderly populations.
- Previous studies have highlighted the prevalence and impact of UI in various care settings.
- Understanding risk factors and perceived curability is crucial for effective management.
Purpose:
- To assess the prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence among institutionalized elderly.
- To identify risk factors associated with incontinence and severe leakage.
- To evaluate the agreement between urologists and nurses in diagnosing incontinence and its perceived curability.
Summary:
- A survey of 161 institutionalized elderly (41 male, 120 female) revealed a 66% prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), with 47% experiencing severe leakage.
- Risk factors included consciousness disturbance, urgency, impaired mobility, and dementia for UI, and apathy, loss of urinary sensation, dementia, and impaired mobility for severe leakage.
- Functional incontinence was noted in 81% of cases, with high agreement (90%) between urologists and nurses. However, nurses deemed 54% of cases "incurable".
Impact:
- Highlights the substantial burden of severe and perceived incurable urinary incontinence in the institutionalized elderly.
- Underscores the urgent need for effective interventions and management strategies for urinary incontinence in aging societies.
- Emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and collaborative care between healthcare professionals in managing elderly incontinence.