Cardiovascular Disease, Functional Disability, and QoL as Associated Factors With Urinary Incontinence in Older Individuals-Cross-Sectional Study

Urinary incontinence (UI) is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with functional decline and reduced quality of life (QoL). This study estimated the prevalence of UI and investigated factors independently associated with UI among community-dwelling older adults in São Paulo, Brazil.

Cross-sectional analysis of the 2015 wave of the Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) Study. Of 1224 participants aged ≥ 60 years, 1213 (789 women; 424 men) were included after excluding missing outcome data. UI was defined as an International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score ≥ 3. Covariates included sociodemographic factors, chronic conditions, cognitive status, functional disability (basic activities of daily living [BADL]), and QoL (SF-12). Sex-stratified survey-weighted logistic regression models were performed.

UI prevalence was 18.33% in men and 30.04% in women (p < 0.001). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and BADL impairment (functional disability) were independently associated with UI in both sexes (men: OR 1.84 and 1.72; women: OR 1.63 and 1.46, respectively). Among women, cognitive decline was also associated with UI (OR 1.81). Higher SF-12 physical and mental component scores were associated with lower odds of UI in women. Osteoarticular disease was independently associated with UI in women (OR 0.54), with a direction differing from most prior reports.

UI is common among older adults and is independently associated with CVD and functional disability in both sexes. In women, cognitive status and QoL were additionally associated with UI. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal pathways.