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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 May 19;16(5):e0251711.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251711. eCollection 2021.

The impact of urinary incontinence on falls: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Shinje Moon  1 , Hye Soo Chung  1 , Yoon Jung Kim  1 , Sung Jin Kim  2 , Ohseong Kwon  2 , Young Goo Lee  2 , Jae Myung Yu  1 , Sung Tae Cho  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The impact of urinary incontinence on falls: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Shinje Moon et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies on the association between urinary incontinence (UI) and falls have reported conflicting results. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate and clarify this association through a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies.

Methods: We performed a literature search for relevant studies in databases including PubMed and EMBASE from inception up to December 13, 2020, using several search terms related to UI and falls. Based on the data reported in these studies, we calculated the pooled odds ratios (ORs) for falls and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the Mantel-Haenszel method.

Results: This meta-analysis included 38 articles and a total of 230,129 participants. UI was significantly associated with falls (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.45-1.83). Subgroup analyses based on the age and sex of the participants revealed a significant association between UI and falls in older (≥65 years) participants (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.31-1.93), and in both men (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.57-2.25) and women (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.29-1.54). Subgroup analysis based on the definition of falls revealed a significant association between UI and falls (≥1 fall event) (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.42-1.82) and recurrent falls (≥2 fall events) (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.49-1.78). According to the UI type, a significant association between UI and falls was observed in patients with urgency UI (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.15-1.70) and those with stress UI (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.39-2.15).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis, which was based on evidence from a review of the published literature, clearly demonstrated that UI is an important risk factor for falls in both general and older populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Schematic diagram of the search strategy.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Quality assessment of the risk of bias in the 33 studies included in this meta-analysis.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Forest plots of the risk ratio of the association between urinary incontinence and falls.
OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval. *Study that defined falls as at least two falls within 1 year.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Funnel plot and sensitivity analysis.
A. Funnel plot of publication bias in studies comparing the odds ratios of urinary incontinence for falls. B. Sensitivity analysis of the meta-analysis of studies comparing the odds ratios of urinary incontinence for falls. *Study that defined falls as at least two falls within 1 year.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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