Predictive Risk Factors for Impaired Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Women with Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

PurposeUrinary incontinence (UI) has substantial and important impacts on quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to identify the associated risk factors of QoL in middle-aged women with UI.MethodsThe participants were 127 women aged 40-64 years who experienced UI. Data were collected from October to November, 2008 using a self-reported questionnaires. The data were analyzed through t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, and multiple linear regression with SPSS ver. 16.0 program.ResultsThe distribution of UI severity was mild 18.1%, moderate 40.2% and severe 41.7%. In univariate analysis, differences in the score for QoL according to participants' characteristics were statistically significant on the type of delivery, number of births and severity of UI. In multiple linear regression analysis after adjustment of other variables, the most powerful predictor of QoL is severity of UI. Number of births was also significant predictor. These two variables explained 25% of variance in QoL of women with UI.ConclusionsUI is highly prevalent and causes suffering and impaired QoL among middle-aged women, but it stands beyond our attention. The results of this study suggest that women with moderate to severe UI should be screened for QoL by health care providers regularly. Further research is needed to determine comprehensive factors including psychosocial factors predicting the QoL for incontinent women.

Disease stigma and its mediating effect on the relationship between symptom severity and quality of life among community‐dwelling women with stress urinary incontinence: a study from a Chinese city

“…, Monz et al . , Son & Kwon ), the present study found that symptom severity is the most important predictor of QoL, without the consideration of disease stigma. Symptom severity can explain 11·7% the variance in QoL.…”

“…Previous studies have found that QoL is correlated with some socio‐demographic and clinical factors, such as age, educational level, comorbidity, symptom severity, UI subtype, duration of UI symptoms, among which symptom severity is the most powerful factor (Son & Kwon , Tincello et al . , Zhang et al .…”

Relationships among symptom severity, coping styles, and quality of life in community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence: a multiple mediator model

“…Studies have indicated that women with UI often have a poorer quality of life (QOL) than those without UI [4][5][6]. Symptom severity of UI has the largest effect on QOL [7,8]. Findings from a cross-sectional study of 556 women aged 49-61 years showed that the correlation between symptom severity and QOL persisted even after adjusting for other factors such as age, educational level, and duration of UI [9].…”

Urinary incontinence in Qatar: A study of the prevalence, risk factors and impact on quality of life

“…The prevalence of UI in women is reported as 10–60% [2–10] . This wide range of prevalence is due to differences in definitions, study characteristics and target populations [11] .…”