[Epidemiology and psycho-social consequences of urinary incontinence]

Previous studies about urinary incontinence epidemiology are disparate. Incontinence affects about 7% of children between 5 and 14, without predominance of sex. Among adults, prevalence is higher for female. In male patients incontinence percentage varies between 1.4% and 2.9% according to the age, with a low increase in prevalence after the age of 40. In female population, the percentage varies between 4 and 57% according to age after 45, and menopause status. The menopause occurrence is not unanimous admitted as causal factor. Obstetrical traumatism, pelvic surgery, child enuresis, postpartum urinary incontinence increase the risk of urinary incontinence. Overall in France, we estimate that 39% of adult women have micturition disorder: 24% with urgency, 25% with pollakiurie and 21% with incontinence. A lot of studies underline that incontinence exists in young nullipara woman. Over the age of 65, prevalence of urinary incontinence is estimated between 14 and 55% (average 30%). Incontinence rate is higher in institution than at home.