Prevalence and psychosocial impact of urinary incontinence in older people of a Spanish rural population.

Background: The prevalence and the psychosocial impact of urinary incontinence in older people of a rural population were investigated.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was made by means of a home health interview in a representative sample of people aged 65 years and older in the Basic Health Zone of Cabra (Córdoba). A questionnaire was used with two questions to detect urinary incontinence and further questions regarding its duration, frequency, volume, severity and psychosocial impact. Data were analyzed with basic statistics. A logistic regression model was created to identify which factors affect people's lifestyles.

Results: Among the 827 respondents the prevalence of incontinence reached 36% [95% confidence interval (CI): 34%-38%] and was higher (p < .001) in women (42%; 95% CI: 39%-45%) than in men (29%; 95% CI: 25%-38%). The most frequent duration of incontinence was from 1 to 5 years (16.8%). Fifteen percent had daily episodes and 10.6% estimated the volume of urine loss as high. Incontinence was severe in 9% of the affected subjects. Half the incontinent subjects expressed social limitations and negative feelings related to incontinence, and 21% admitted that incontinence negatively affected their lives. In the logistic regression model, both volume of urine loss [odds ratio (OR) = 5.61; 95% CI: 2.76-11.42] and being married (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.03-5.33) were the factors statistically associated with a negative influence of incontinence on lifestyle.

Conclusions: Urinary incontinence is a very frequent symptom in our population. Half the incontinent subjects suffer from some degree of psychosocial limitation. The volume of urine loss and being married are the most important factors with psychosocial impact.