[Epidemiology and definition of female urinary incontinence]

Urinary incontinence is the complaint of any involuntary leakage of urine. Among women in the general population, the most common types are stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence (EL4). Urinary incontinence is common and affects 25% to 45% of the women in the general population. The prevalence of incontinence increases with age up to the age of 65 (EL2). Many risk factors have been proposed for urinary incontinence. However, those for which the definitive evidence for a causal link and an effective risk reduction intervention are available are only a few. The best studied factor is overweight, clearly associated with incontinence and which reduction decreases by approximately 50% urinary incontinence episodes. Genital prolapse is associated with urinary incontinence and prolapse surgery reduces incontinence. Data concerning several classical risk factors for incontinence such as hypoestrogenism and vaginal delivery are contradictory (EL1). Urinary incontinence affects health with consequences such as dermatologic complications (skin maceration and ulcers) and falls. Urinary incontinence reduces the quality of life and generates high costs for affected individuals and in terms of public health (EL1).