Managing urinary incontinence in adults with bronchiectasis

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Urology
• Women's Health

Background:

• Urinary incontinence (UI) negatively affects quality of life and is often underreported.
• While UI is known in cystic fibrosis-associated bronchiectasis, data for non-cystic fibrosis-associated bronchiectasis (non-CFB) is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence in adult patients with non-CFB.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of specialist continence assessment and management for these patients.

Main Methods:

• An audit of a new adult non-CFB service established in 2007.
• Patients were specifically asked about UI symptoms and referred for specialist assessment if identified.
• The study focused on female patients referred to the continence service.

Main Results:

• 55% of 76 female patients attending the service reported UI, significantly impacting their quality of life.
• Most patients (87.5%) had symptoms for over 5 years, with 40% experiencing them for over 10 years before seeking help.
• Following specialist intervention, 80% of referred patients showed improvement in UI symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Specifically inquiring about urinary incontinence is crucial when assessing adult patients with bronchiectasis.
• Early detection and specialist management can significantly improve quality of life for affected individuals.