The prevalence of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is one of the most important health problems confronti ng modern society More than 50 million men and women throughout the world a re afflicted. Population studies have demonstrated that approximately 10% o f all women suffer from urinary incontinence. Prevalence figures increase w ith increasing age and in women aged greater than or equal to 70 years more than 20% of the female population are affected. Urinary incontinence not o nly causes considerable personal suffering for the individual afflicted bur is also of immense economic importance for the health service. The annual cost of urinary incontinence in Sweden in 1990 accounted for 2% of the tota l health care costs.