Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of urinary incontinence in Japanese women: A web-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies on urinary incontinence that used a validated international standard questionnaire are limited in Japan, and few studies have examined the sociodemographic and behavioral correlates of urinary incontinence.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence according to the Japanese version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, and its sociodemographic and behavioral correlates among Japanese women.

Design: A web-based cross-sectional study.

Methods: A randomly sampled cross-sectional Internet survey was conducted in Japan among 3030 women aged 20-64 years. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score, sociodemographic, body mass index, medical and childbirth history, practice of pelvic floor muscle training, and medical care use were obtained. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and forced-entry logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis.

Results: Participants' average age was 43.4 years, and the response rate was 32.9%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 25.5%, and it increased with age. Stress urinary incontinence was the most common subtype (57.4%), followed by urge urinary incontinence (20.3%) and mixed urinary incontinence (16.7%). Less than 5% of those with urinary incontinence had experience with pelvic floor muscle training and medical care use. Middle-aged and older (p < 0.001), overweight and obesity (p < 0.001), vaginal delivery status (p < 0.001), low back pain (p = 0.008), and previous pelvic floor muscle training engagement (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with urinary incontinence.

Conclusion: Increasing population awareness of urinary incontinence from an early age and developing effective interventions for the identified at-risk groups, such as the middle-aged and older, those with overweight and obesity, and those with previous pregnancies, are urgently needed.

Keywords: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form; preventive behaviors; urinary incontinence; women; younger and middle-aged.

Figure 1.

Prevalence of urinary incontinence by age. Any UI indicates the overall percentage of urinary incontinence; UUI, SUI, MUI, and other UI indicate the percentage within the prevalence of UI. UI: urinary incontinence; UUI: urge urinary incontinence; SUI: stress urinary incontinence; MUI: mixed urinary incontinence.