EFFECT OF ENDOGENOUS AND EXOGENOUS RISK-F ACTORS ON THE FEMALE PELVICFLOOR IN CORRELATION WITH THE PREVALENCE OF STRESS-INCONTINENCE OF URINE - OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present investigation was to study the association betw een endogenic and exogenic risk factors towards the female pelvic floo r and the prevalence of urinary stress incontinence. Study Design: In a case-control study a sample of 928 women aged 20-86 years were analy sed by a questionnaire. The study group consisted of former patients, who underwent descensus or incontinence surgery at the Womens' Univers ity Hospital in Heidelberg between 1980-1992, as well as of a random s elected population of working women. A total of 653 (70%) were affecte d by urinary incontinence, the other 275 (30%) in the control group we re continent. Results: After evaluation of the data by statistical mea ns those were selected from a variety of risk-factors, which were stat istically significant associated with urinary stress incontinence. By means of logistic regression analysis these factors were brought toget her in a chart according to their potency of relative risk: risk facto r: 1. body weight, 2. parity, 3. carrying weights at work, 4. postmeno pause, 5. assembly-line work, 6. internal work, 7. heavy housework, 8. cold temperatures during work. Conclusion: In this investigation it c ould be proved for the first time not only the significance of endogen ous and exogenous risk factors with respect to the correlation to fema le urinary incontinence, but also to analyse their predictive value.