Prevalence and Risk Factors of Urinary Incontinence in Community-dwelling Women in the Taipei Area

Abstract

The prevalence of urinary incontinence in the community- dwelling women in the this country is not known. A survey, representing a multi- stage sample of 82,678 wmen aged 18 years or older, was conducted in the Taipei area from Janurary to June, 1993. A total of 818 cases were interviewed by traained students. One hundred and eighty- nine (23.1%) of the respondents reported to have had some degree of incontinence in the preceding 12 mnths, 28 (3.4%) reporting regular incontinence. Most presented with stress urinary incontinence, whereas urge incontinenced and mixed type incontinence were more commonly seen in the elderly group ( aged 60 years or older). The risk factors of urinary incontinence included age, number of vaginal deliveries (≧3), number of abortions (≧2) and maternal history of incontinence. Voiding symptoms (irritative or obstructive) and constipation were significantly more prevalent among respondents with incontinence than those without (P<0.001). Only 18.4% ( 34 cases) of those with urinary incontinence had sought medical help. The most common rationale was that either the incontinence was not thought of as abnormal (82,5 %) or treatment would proide little benefit (13.5%). As the aged population continues to grow, the incidence of urinary incontinence and the ensuing problems (physical, psychosocial, and economic ) are expected to be more frequent. This survey, therefore, is of inportance to citizens, medical professionals, and health authrities.# 0063 #