PREVALENCE, 1-YEAR INCIDENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH URINARY-INCONTINENCE - A POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF WOMEN 50-74 YEARS OF AGE IN PRIMARY-CARE

Objectives: To study prevalence, incidence, remissions and factors ass ociated with urinary incontinence in women 50-74 years of age. Methods : Cross-sectional study of prevalence and associated factors and a 1-y ear prospective study of incidence and remissions. A random sample of 698 women were invited for a gynecological examination in general prac tice in three municipalities in Northern Norway in 1994-1995. Five hun dred and seven (73%) met for the first consultation, 489 of them for t he second one. Questionnaires were answered by women and doctors durin g consultations at inclusion and 1 year later. Prevalence was estimate d at three levels of evidence. Results: Any leakage was reported by 47 % and regularly by 31%. For 19%, leakage was objectively demonstrated and claimed to be a social or hygienic problem. Incontinence was assoc iated with high body weight, with poor ability to contract pelvic floo r muscles and with previous gynecological operations excluding hystere ctomy. Three women (0.6%) developed regular incontinence during the ye ar of investigation. There was no convincing case of spontaneous remis sion. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence is very frequent in women aged 50-74 years and about one in five are potential patients needing treat ment. Urinary incontinence is an enduring condition with little tenden cy for remission without treatment. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.