Prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence in Thai menopausal women at Phramongkutklao Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence in menopausal women at Phramongkutklao Hospital.

Material and method: The present cross sectional study was conducted in healthy women, with intact uterus and at least one ovary, attending the university hospital menopausal clinic. They had no history of pelvic mass, paralysis or using any diuretic. They completed the self-administered questionnaire regarding urinary incontinence symptoms and risks.

Results: Four hundred patients were enrolled. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 75.3%. The prevalence of stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence were 18.3%, 17.5% and 39.5%, respectively. Obesity was statistically significant in association with all types of urinary incontinence (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.64) and mixed incontinence (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.50-3.14). Previous vaginal delivery was only significantly related with mixed type (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.17-3.55). But only 3.6% of the menopausal women had ever been treated for symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Conclusion: While the prevalence of urinary incontinence is high, the percentage of the suffering patients, seeking medical services, is low. Therefore, more attention should be paid to these treatable problems. Obesity might be the risk factor for all types of urinary incontinence, while previous vaginal delivery was suggested to be a risk factor for the mixed type.