Care seeking and treatment for urinary incontinence in a diverse population

Abstract

Purpose: We examined care seeking and treatment for urine leakage in the Boston Area Community Health Survey, a racially and ethnically diverse, community based study of urological and gynecological symptoms and their correlates.

Materials and methods: Boston Area Community Health Survey used a multistage, stratified cluster design to enroll 5,506 black, Hispanic and white adults. Subjects were 30 to 79 years old and residents of Boston, Massachusetts. Data were obtained during a 2-hour in home interview. Analyses for this report include the 331 women and 128 men who reported weekly incontinence, defined as urine leakage that occurred 1 or more times weekly in the last year.

Results: Of women 45% and 22% of men with weekly incontinence reported ever having sought care for it. Of those who sought care 60% reported receiving treatment and half of those who were treated continued to have daily leakage. Of treated women 50% and 40% of treated men reported moderate to great frustration with continued urine leakage.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the majority of men and women who experience weekly urinary incontinence do not seek care for it, many who sought treatment believe that none was provided and many who received treatment continue to have troubling symptoms. The public should be educated to seek care for urine leakage, health care providers should take the initiative to ask their patients about urinary symptoms and more attention should be given to ensuring that, when treatment is given, it is appropriate and effective.