Factors affecting doctor visits of postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence.

Objective: This study analyzed the reasons for avoiding visiting a doctor among women aged ≥50 years with urinary incontinence (UI), as well as factors influencing visits to the doctor.

Methods: In all, 402 women aged ≥50 years who were enrolled in Bursa healthcare centers, 150 with UI and 252 without UI, participated in the study. This study was conducted between January 2018 and August 2018. Participants were asked to complete the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF) questionnaire. Quality of life was evaluated using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form (IIQ-7) questionnaire.

Results: The prevalence of UI was 37%. Of the women with UI, 52 (34.67%) visited a doctor for complaints. The most frequent reason for seeing a doctor because of UI was that it had started to affect activities of daily living. The most frequent reason for avoiding visiting a doctor was the belief that UI was normal. Scores on the ICIQ-SF were higher among women who visited a doctor. Physical activity, social relationships, and mental health scores on the IIQ-7 were also higher among patients who visited a doctor.

Conclusions: Patients who suffer from severe UI and whose quality of life is affected more negatively are more likely to visit a doctor. Women who believe that UI is normal are less likely to visit a doctor. Awareness about UI should be increased in order to increase the rate of visiting a doctor for this condition.