ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF URINARY-INCONTINENCE IN A FEMALE-POPULATION

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a symptom. Patients seeking medical atten tion do so because of this symptom. As individuals' views of bothersom eness vary significantly, the objective degree of symptom severity is less important than the patient's overall outlook. Assessing well-bein g can be done by symptom evaluation, and general or condition-specific health-related quality of life questionnaire (HRQOL). Several studies using HRQOL questionnaires documented the negative effects of UI on t he patient's well-being, especially on daily activities and psychologi cal distress. Generalised HRQOL instruments can be used but they may l ack sensitivity to the characteristics of incontinence and its impact. Recently condition-specific UI questionnaires have been developed for a better assessment of specific issues and a greater sensitivity to c hanges after treatments. They reveal a substantial impact on everyday life, but a poor correlation was observed between the objective and su bjective measurements. More useful short-form versions have recently b een developed that meet many of the needs of therapists.