The relationship between sarcopenia and urinary incontinence.

Purpose: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common cause of morbidity in the female older adult. Identification of factors associated with UI is necessary to identify risky individuals, to take preventive measures, and to recognize commonly associated co-morbidities. We suggest that sarcopenia may be associated with UI through decrease in muscle mass/strength. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between UI (stress and/or urgency) and sarcopenia.

Methods: Female older adults ≥ 60 years that applied to geriatric outpatient clinic were analyzed cross-sectionally. The presence of UI, UI types, fecal incontinence, and constipation was obtained. Functional status was assessed by basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL and IADL), nutrition by mini-nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF). Total muscle mass was measured by bioimpedance analysis. Hand grip strength and walking speed were assessed.

Results: A total of 802 female adults were included. The prevalence of UI was 48.9%. Associated factors with presence of UI were higher age and BMI, presence of fecal incontinence, constipation, lower activities of ADL and IADL scores, lower grip strength, lower skeletal muscle mass adjusted by weight and BMI, and presence of sarcopenia adjusted by weight and BMI. Independent factors related with UI were presence of fecal incontinence, constipation, IADL dependency, low muscle mass adjusted by weight and body mass index, and sarcopenia adjusted by weight.

Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that UI is independently associated with sarcopenia when muscle mass was adjusted by weight and also with presence of low muscle mass when muscle mass was adjusted by weight or BMI.