Impact of urinary incontinence on falls in the older population: 2017 national survey of older Koreans

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the association and influence of urinary incontinence (UI) on falls in older adults using the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans data.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans, which was conducted on 10,299 adults aged 65 and older in 2017 by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

Results: This study included a total of 6,134 women aged 65-106, with a mean age of 74.8. In total, 1,152 women experienced at least 1 fall in the past 1 year and 382 experienced 2 or more recurrent falls; 281 women were diagnosed with UI. UI and falls (odds ratio, 1.329; 95 % confidence interval, 1.003-1.762) and recurrent falls (odds ratio=,1.703; 95% confidence interval=,1.145-2.534) were significantly associated. Older individuals with UI were more likely to fall at least once per year (odds ratio=,1.52; 95 % confidence interval=,1.15-2.20, odds ratio=,1.49; 95 % confidence interval=,1.09-2.04) than those without and were also linked to higher odds of recurrent falls (odds ratio=,2.16; 95 % confidence interval=,1.47-3.16, odds ratio=,2.13; 95 % confidence interval=,1.41-3.22) in those with at least 1 cognitive impairment, body functional impairment, or activity limitation.

Conclusion: Our findings showed a possible increased risk of falls and recurrent falls in older individuals with UI compared to those without, especially in people with cognitive and functional impairment.

Keywords: Fall; Geriatric syndrome; Urinary incontinence.