Interest in information about urinary incontinence among diabetic and nondiabetic heart failure patients

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and urinary incontinence (UI) are often prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients, rendering nursing management even more complex. The purpose of this study was to determine if differences existed between diabetic and nondiabetic HF patients regarding their interest in information about UI.

Secondary analyses were conducted on survey and medical record data from 182 (97 hospitalized and 85 clinic) HF patients. All had reported UI at least once monthly.

One hundred eighty-two patients with HF participated in the study; 97 were recruited while in hospital and 85 were recruited from a clinic setting. There were an equal number of participants with DM when compared to subjects without DM (n=91). The majority of subjects were white (64%), female (56%), and most perceived their health as fair to poor (74%).

Eighty-three percent (N=151) had not asked for more UI information, while 64% indicated interest in learning more about UI. Using the transtheoretical model, participants with DM were more likely to be in the contemplation stage for behavioral change than those who did not have DM (79% vs 59%, P=.004).

Few HF patients with UI (17%) had previously asked for more information about incontinence, but more than two-thirds (69%) indicated interest in learning more about UI. HF patients with DM were more likely to be in the contemplation stage for behavioral change related to UI than those without DM.