Urinary incontinence: prevalence, risk factors, and impact on health related quality of life in Saudi women

Abstract

Aims: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and impact upon health related quality of life (HRQL) of urinary incontinence in Saudi women.

Methods: We performed a clinic-based cross-sectional survey. 6,600 women aged 20 years and older were selected. The bother of urinary incontinence symptoms was assessed using the Arabic version of the short form of Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) questionnaire. We measured the impact of urinary incontinence on HRQL using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7).

Results: The overall prevalence of urinary incontinence in our study was 29%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence according to its type was 50% stress urinary incontinence, 28% urgency urinary incontinence, and 22% mixed urinary incontinence. Older age, obesity, large baby birth weight, high parity, caesarean delivery, vaginal delivery, and diabetes were significant risk factors. Less than 10% of the women in this study reported a significant effect of urinary incontinence on their HRQL. In our study population, 9% sought medical care.

Conclusions: Twenty-nine percent of the women in Riyadh suffered from urinary incontinence. Diabetes is the most significant factor. Urinary incontinence affects women's HRQL. Most of the women did not seek medical care. We consider our study as an important step to start the plans for early detection, and treating urinary incontinence in Saudi Arabia.