The prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in patients with cystic fibrosis: an under-recognized problem

To identify the prevalence of stress urinary and fecal incontinence in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and investigate any correlation between CF severity and the incidence and degree of incontinence.

An initial postal questionnaire was used to identify patients with an incontinence problem, followed by a detailed interview-administered questionnaire assessing the type of incontinence and the impact of the incontinence on patients and the management of their CF. The correlation between CF severity and the incidence and severity of incontinence was also analysed. All patients aged 5-18 years attending the CF service at The Respiratory and Urology departments of a University Teaching Hospital were invited to participate. There was no therapeutic intervention.

Stress urinary incontinence was present in 31% of girls and 2.2% of boys, with fecal incontinence in four girls. The youngest patient with incontinence was 9 years old. Of the patients, 78% found their incontinence a problem and 44% had hidden the problem from parents and carers. There was no correlation between incontinence and the severity of CF as measured by the forced expiratory volume in 1s.

Urinary incontinence is common in girls with CF and in many cases it is a hidden problem. These patients need to be identified so they can receive appropriate management, instead of suffering in silence.