[Prevalence of urinary incontinence and hyperactive bladder in the Spanish population: results of the EPICC study]

Abstract

Background: Despite the growing interest on Urinary Incontinence (UI) in our country, nocturnal enuresis and Overactive Bladder (OAB), there are no epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of these health problems in the different affected groups of the general population.

Patients and methods: This is an epidemiologic, observational, multicentre and national study. Data were collected by means of personal interviews in 5 representative areas from Spain and in 4 groups of population: 1) working women (25- 64-years-old); 2) working men (50- 64-years-old); 3) children attending primary school (6- 11-years-old); and 4) elderly institutionalized subjects (over 65-years-old) with no mental impairment. The Interview addressed to adult population included two parts: 1) socio-demographic variables and clinical history; and 2) data about OAB and UI symptoms. The Interview addressed to children included socio-demographic variables and questions about liquid intake and urine control.

Results: Percentage of answer to interview in the different groups varied between 79.7% and 98%. Prevalence of isolate OAB and UI in working women were 2.69% and 4.01% respectively; in men were 3.55% and 0.56%; in elderly were 9.14% and 15.16%. In total, 9.94% (95%CI = 8.9-11.04) of the women under study suffer one or both health problems; this percentage was 5.14% (95% CI= 3.89-6.63) in men and 53.71% (95% CI= 50.56-56.85) in elderly. Prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children was 7.82% (95% CI= 6.62-9.17).

Conclusions: Prevalence of OAB and/or UI in Spain is near 10% of women between 25 and 64 years, is around 5% in men between 50 and 64 years and it is over 50% in persons over 65 years; prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children between 6 and 11 years is around 8%.