ECONOMIC COSTS OF URINARY-INCONTINENCE IN 1995

Urinary incontinence imposes a significant financial burden on individ uals, their families, and healthcare organizations. For individuals 65 years of age and older these costs are substantial, increasing from $ 8.2 billion (1984 dollars) to $16.4 billion (1993 dollars). Both of th ese cost-of-illness estimates, however, relied on data and factors tha t have changed over time. This study updates these cost estimates. The 1995 societal cost of incontinence for individuals aged 65 years and older was $26.3 billion, or $3565 per individual with urinary incontin ence. Limitations, implications, and directions for future research ar e also discussed. (C) 1998, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.