URINARY-INCONTINENCE AND URINARY-TRACT INFECTIONS IN OCTOGENARIAN WOMEN

Background. Urinary incontinence and urinary tract infection are commo n problems among elderly women due to age-related changes in the uroge nital tract, but information regarding prevalence and presentation amo ng the aged is limited. Methods. A total of 97 randomly selected women aged 80-89 years, 47 living in homes for the elderly and 50 living at home, were asked about urogenital complaints in a structured intervie w. Medical records provided information about urinary tract infections and the use of estrogens. Results. Urinary incontinence affected 46%; half of them daily. Urge incontinence was most common (43%), then mix ed incontinence (28%) and stress incontinence (26%). Urge and mixed in continence caused significantly more discomfort than stress incontinen ce. During the past two years 33% of the women had experienced urinary tract infection and 11% had greater than or equal to 5 infections. A total of 22 women were receiving estrogen treatment, more often in hom es for the elderly (p<0.001). Paradoxically, these women had a higher prevalence of urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, and other complaints than women not receiving estrogens. Considerable or great discomfort from the urogenital tract was reported by 23% of the women. A third of the women had discussed urogenital complaints with a physi cian. Conclusion. In view of the prevalence of urogenital complaints, it is likely that more elderly women could benefit from early medical assessment and treatment. Indications for estrogen treatment need to b e more clearly defined.