Population-Level Prevalence, Bother, and Treatment Behavior for Urinary Incontinence in an Eastern European Country: Findings from the LUTS POLAND Study

Abstract

Objectives: Population-level data are lacking for urinary incontinence (UI) in Central and Eastern European countries. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence, bother, and behavior regarding treatment for UI in a population-representative group of Polish adults aged ≥ 40 years. Methods: Data for this epidemiological study were derived from the larger LUTS POLAND project, in which a group of adults that typified the Polish population were surveyed, by telephone, about lower urinary tract symptoms. Respondents were classified by age, sex, and place of residence. UI was assessed with a standard protocol and established International Continence Society definitions. Results: The LUTS POLAND survey included 6005 completed interviews. The prevalence of UI was 14.6–25.4%; women reported a greater occurrence compared with men (p < 0.001). For both sexes, UI prevalence increased with age. Stress UI was the most common type of UI in women, and urgency UI was the most prevalent in men. We did not find a difference in prevalence between urban and rural areas. Individuals were greatly bothered by UI. For women, mixed UI was the most bothersome, whereas for men, leak for no reason was most annoying. More than half of respondents (51.4–62.3%) who reported UI expressed anxiety about the effect of UI on their quality of life. Nevertheless, only around one third (29.2–38.1%) of respondents with UI sought treatment, most of whom received treatment. Persons from urban and rural areas did not differ in the degrees of treatment seeking and treatment receiving. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence was prevalent and greatly bothersome among Polish adults aged ≥ 40 years. Consequently, UI had detrimental effects on quality of life. Nonetheless, most affected persons did not seek treatment. Therefore, we need to increase population awareness in Poland about UI and available treatment methods, and we need to ensure adequate allocation of government and healthcare system resources.

The Impact of Surgical Treatment with Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer on Disorders in the Urinary System and Quality of Life in Women

“…In our study, the percentage of women struggling with urinary incontinence in group A was analogous to that described by Cascales-Campos et al [ 28 ], ranging from 58% to 65%, a higher prevalence, possibly resulting from, inter alia, a different group size, as well as Cascales-Campos et al not conducting urogynecological examinations of patients. Another potential reason explaining the higher percentage of women with urinary incontinence after ovarian cancer treatment in the Polish population compared to the Spanish population, as described by Cascales-Campos et al may be due to the fact that, in Spain, a low percentage of women with no oncological history struggling with urinary incontinence was found—23%, while in France it is 43% [ 29 ], and in Poland, based on a study by Przydacz et al [ 30 ], this problem affects 21.3–36.6% of women. The reliability of the results obtained from the conducted questionnaire studies can be compared with the studies conducted in 2013–2014 at the Świętokrzyskie Oncology Center in Kielce.…”

Magnetically controlled artificial urinary sphincter: An overview from existing devices to future developments

“…Urinary incontinence prevalence increases with age in both women and men. [7][8][9] The main risk factors for urinary incontinence in women are age, pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, and other related conditions. In men, the main risk factor for urinary incontinence is damage to the urethral sphincter caused by surgery (e.g.…”

“…The prevalence of urinary incontinence ranges from 14.6% to 25.4%, with urinary incontinence prevalence ranging from 25% to 45% in women and 1% to 39% in men. Urinary incontinence prevalence increases with age in both women and men 7–9 . The main risk factors for urinary incontinence in women are age, pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, and other related conditions.…”

Development and future prospects of the artificial urinary sphincter

“…According to the latest epidemiological data, the total prevalence of UI in the female distribution is 17% for women over 20 years of age and 38% for women over 60 years of age 3 . According to survey data, there are many causes of UI, which may include factors such as female fertility, obesity, education level, and lung disease 4–7 . Traditional treatment strategies for UI include conservative treatment, medication, and surgery 8 .…”

“…3 According to survey data, there are many causes of UI, which may include factors such as female fertility, obesity, education level, and lung disease. [4][5][6][7] Traditional treatment strategies for UI include conservative treatment, medication, and surgery. 8 For severe UI, the most common surgical treatment is the implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), which has many years of experience in the treatment of UI and is considered the gold standard treatment for men with UI.…”