Urinary Incontinence

Reports of the prevalence of urinary incontinence in women vary because of differences in the definition of urinary incontinence, the study samples, and underreporting due to variation in the methodology of surveys. The condition is more common in women. Systematic reviews conclude that there is a community prevalence of 20 to 30 percent in young adults, 30 to 40 percent in middle-aged women and 30 to 50 percent in elderly women. In long-term care institutions, the prevalence is higher. If incontinence severity is considered, however, the prevalence of bothersome or significant incontinence (i.e., that which is severe enough to have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life) is between 5 and 10 percent of the community. Initial data suggests that the prevalence is higher in caucasian women; though prevalence in noncaucasian women worldwide requires further study.

There is little information on the proportions of types of urinary incontinence. There are very few incidence studies, and remission may occur either naturally or with treatment. Urinary incontinence is more prevalent during pregnancy and following childbirth, menopause, and hysterectomy. Obesity, lower urinary tract symptoms (e.g., blood in the urine, urine cloudiness, and foul smelling urine or urinary burning), and problems with mobility (functional impairment) or thinking (cognitive impairment) are associated with urinary incontinence. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in men is half that of women and rises more gradually with age. In the United States alone, the economic impact of this condition has been estimated at 18 billion dollars per year, including costs for nursing hours, surgery investigations, pads, and devices for containing incontinence.