The impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life among women in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of female urinary incontinence in Hong Kong and its impact on quality of life.

Design and setting: Territory-wide telephone survey in Hong Kong.

Participants: Hong Kong women aged 10 to 90 years accessed by fixed residential telephone lines between June 2001 and July 2002.

Main outcome measures: The prevalence of urinary symptoms was assessed using telephone interview. The urinary symptoms investigated were as listed in a validated Chinese version of Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (UDI-6). The impact on quality of life was quantified using a validated Chinese version of Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7).

Results: There were 749 valid respondents (response rate, 24.4%). Urinary symptoms were reported by 52% of women (95% confidence interval, 48.9-56.0%), of whom 12% believed it impaired their quality of life. Stress urinary incontinence was reported by 34% (95% confidence interval, 28.7-38.9%). Social (5.1%; 95% confidence interval, 2.8-7.4%) and emotional (5.6%; 95% confidence interval, 3.3-7.9%) factors were the quality-of-life areas most impacted by urinary incontinence.

Conclusions: Urinary symptoms are common among Hong Kong women. Quality of life is consequently impaired in 12% of affected women.