Incidence and remission of female urinary incontinence over 6.5 years: analysis of a health screening project

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the incidence and remission of female urinary incontinence (UI) over 6.5 years and to identify risk factors for the development of UI.

Methods: Women who underwent a health investigation in 1998 or 1999 in the area of Vienna completed the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire. In 2005, all women (n=925) aged >/=20 yr in 1999 who were still living in the area of Vienna were invited to recomplete the questionnaire.

Results: The response rate was 47.7% (n=441; age range, 20-84 yr), and the mean follow-up was 6.5 yr. The overall prevalence of UI was 32% at baseline and increased to 43% in 6.5 years. The mean annual cumulative incidence of UI was 3.9%, with the lowest rate (2.3%) in the youngest age group (20-39 yr) and the highest (7.3%) in those aged 70 yr or older. The mean annual full remission rate was 2.9%, with no clear age dependency. More than half (55.6%) of the women with a full remission had only a mild form of UI at baseline. In a multivariate analysis, urgency (p=0.008) and age (p=0.024) were correlated to the risk of de novo UI.

Conclusions: This longitudinal study demonstrates that UI is not necessarily a progressive process but rather is a dynamic one.