Prevalence and psychosocial impact of urinary incontinence in older peopleof a Spanish rural population

Background. The prevalence and the psychosocial impact of urinary incontine nce in older people of a rural population were investigated. Methods. A cross-sectional study was made by means of a home health intervi ew in a representative sample of people aged 65 years and older in the Basi c Health Zone of Cabra (Cordoba). A questionnaire was used with two questio ns to detect urinary incontinence and further questions regarding its durat ion, frequency, volume, severity and psychosocial impact. Data were analyze d with basic statistics. A logistic regression model was created to identif y which factors affect people's lifestyles. Results. Among the 827 respondents the prevalence of incontinence reached 3 6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 34%-38%] and was higher (p < .001) in wom en (42%; 95% CI: 39%-45%) than in men (29%; 95% CI: 25%-38%). The most freq uent duration of incontinence was from 1 to 5 years (16.8%). Fifteen percen t had daily episodes and 10.6% estimated the volume of urine loss as high. Incontinence was severe in 9% of the affected subjects. Half the incontinen t subjects expressed social limitations and negative feelings related to in continence, and 21% admitted that incontinence negatively affected their li ves. In the logistic regression model, both volume of urine loss [odds rati o (OR) = 5.61; 95% CI: 2.76-11.42] and bring married (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1. 03-5.33) were the factors statistically associated with a negative influenc e of incontinence on lifestyle. Conclusions. Urinary incontinence is a very frequent symptom in our populat ion. Half the incontinent subjects suffer from some degree of psychosocial limitation. The volume of urine loss and being married are the most importa nt factors with psychosocial impact.