Risk Factors for Urinary Incontinence of Different Severities in Taiwanese Women in the Taipei Area

Abstract

Purpose: To detect the risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI) of different severity of Taiwanese women Patients and Method: A cross- sectional questionnaire interview was performed where 1608 women aged older than 20 years were selected from one urban area and two rural areas in Taipei and were interviewed-in-person. The demographic characteristics, status of incontinence and global estimation of influence of UI on daily life were inquired. Effects of possible risk factors for UI were estimated by logistic regression for polytomous response Results: 205 interviewees (12.7%) had experienced urine leakage at least once per month in the preceding 12 months were regarded as incontinent in our study. 146(9%) subjects were further categorized as clinically significant UI. The presence of clinically significant UI was positively associated with increased age (age ≧65, Odds Ratio, OR=21. 38, 95% Confidence Interval CI =1.74-5.46), number of normal spontaneous delivery greater than 2 (OR= 4. 73, 95%CI=1.17-3. 27) and pelvic operation( OR=2.08, 95%CI= 1.02-2.47).Our study showed that obesity( high BMI) was not a risk factor for UI. Women with higher education tend to be less risky but the result did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Despite high prevalence of UI among apparently healthy women in Taiwan, most of them were mild and did not bother the daily life of the patients. Among the possible risk factors, aging, number of NSD and pelvic operation constitute the significant determinants for the presence of UI. Better obstetric care and education to the high-risk group may help in its prevention. Keywords: urinary incontinence, female, risk factors