Urinary incontinence in Mallorcan women: prevalence and quality of life

Abstract

Goals: To estimate the prevalence, age distribution, impact on quality of life and type of urinary incontinence (UI) in women over 30 years in Mallorca (Spain).

Material and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study on a randomized sample of 673 women in the health district affiliated to Son Llàtzer Hospital and the 14 Community Health Centres on its area of influence. Following an invitation to participate in the study, women were interviewed twice by their Community Nurse, through the phone and face-to-face. Every interview comprised the completion of the Spanish versions of the ICIQ-SF and EuroQol-5D questionnaires. Prevalence, type and severity (ICIQ-SF) of UI, previous health history and quality of life of women suffering from and free from UI were all estimated.

Results: 24% (CI 95%=20.9-27.5%) of women suffered from UI and prevalence increased significantly with age. Most frequently identified type of UI was stress incontinence (45%) followed by mixed incontinence (29%), urge incontinence (19.4%) and continuous incontinence (6.5%). For women suffering from UI, ICIQ-SF mean total score was 9.2, 25.2% of these suffering from moderate to severe UI. Women suffering from mixed or continuous UI scored highest at ICIQ-SF. Women suffering from UI showed worse quality of life in every dimension of EuroQol-5D. Quality of life was especially poor for women suffering from mixed or continuous UI.

Conclusions: One in four women suffers from UI. UI prevalence increases with age. Half of identified women suffered from stress UI. A fourth of identified incontinences were described as moderate to severe. Women suffering from UI showed worse quality of life.