[The prevalence of urinary incontinence in elderly women]

On the basis of a survey in March 1989 among non institutionalized women aged 60 years and older living in Amstelveen, the prevalence of urinary incontinence was estimated. Also investigated were factors potentially associated with urinary incontinence, as well as the psychosocial impact on daily living activities. The sample comprised 1049 women; 719 postal histories were completed. Statistical analyses involved chi 2 and chi 2 trend tests, and the influence of determinants was assessed with multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 23.5%, with a slight increase with increasing age. Daily urine loss was reported in 14.0% of all women. Significantly associated with urinary incontinence were an increased diurnal as well as nocturnal voiding frequency, immobility and use of diuretics. Urinary incontinence actually interfered with daily living activities in 65.3% of the women.