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Urinary incontinence in US women: a population-based study
Jennifer L Melville1, Wayne Katon, Kristin Delaney
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Box 356460, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195-6460, USA. jmelvi@u.washington.edu
Archives of Internal Medicine
|March 16, 2005
Summary
Urinary incontinence (UI) affects 45% of women, increasing with age. Key risk factors include obesity and major depression, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Women's Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition, particularly in aging populations.
- Risk factors for UI in younger women are less understood.
- Few studies link survey data to medical records for comprehensive risk factor analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of UI in adult women.
- To identify risk factors associated with UI and severe UI.
- To investigate the relationship between UI and demographic/medical factors.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, age-stratified postal survey was conducted.
- 6000 women aged 30-90 years from a Washington State health maintenance organization participated.
- Data linkage with medical findings was utilized to identify risk factors.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of UI was 45%, increasing with age from 28% (30-39 years) to 55% (80-90 years).
- Severe UI prevalence also rose with age, from 8% to 33%.
- Obesity (BMI ≥ 30) and major depression showed the strongest association with UI (ORs 2.39 and 2.48, respectively).
Conclusions:
- UI is highly prevalent across adult women's lifespan, with severity escalating with age.
- Independent risk factors for UI include age, BMI, race, medical comorbidity, major depression, hysterectomy history, and parity.
- Factors associated with severe UI include age, BMI, comorbidity, depression, diabetes, hysterectomy, and cesarean deliveries.