Prevalence of urinary incontinence in women with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in female patients (aged o 15 years) attending a cystic ®brosis (CF) centre, in whom stress UI could be common, as chronic coughing and sputum production are frequent symptoms associated with progressive lung disease in these patients. Patients and methods An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 176 women with CF (mean age 24.6 years, SD 5.8) during routine assessments as outpatients. Results In all, 72 patients (41%) were classi®ed as never incontinent; occasional UI was reported in 61 women (35%). Regular UI, occurring twice or more a month for at least two consecutive months in the last year, was reported in 43 patients (24%). Regular UI was associated with increasing age and a lower mean (SD)forced expiratory volume/s (of that predicted) than in women with no urinary symptoms, at 26.9 (6.5) years and 53.5 (23.5)%, and 23.1 (5.4) years and 65.5 (23.2)%, respectively (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). All incontinent women recorded stress UI; coughing, laughing and physical activity were associated with UI in 92%, 33% and 21% of the patients, respectively. Conclusion Stress UI is a common symptom in women with CF. As urine loss can be under-reported to the healthcare providers, women should be asked about incontinence as part of their routine follow-up. Pelvic oor muscle exercises are effective in treating stress UI and should be considered for those with CF and regular UI.

Urinary incontinence in patients with bronchiectasis: Fig. 1—

“…Our definition of incontinence (at least once per week) is stricter than that of THOMAS et al [2] who used a definition of 2 episodes?month -1 . A similar prevalence has been reported in cystic fibrosis (37.9-68%) [3,4] using the same definition as THOMAS et al [2].…”

Urinary incontinence in adolescent females with cystic fibrosis in Poland

“…Only number of pulmonary exacerbations, constipation, and sexual activity were identified as being associated with incontinence. In few studies incontinent patients were shown to have more severe lung disease (FEV1) than continent ones [4,8,9]. However, other authors described no significant difference in lung disease severity between both groups of patients [5,10].…”

“…Pulmonary exacerbations are associated with more severe cough, more sputum production and intense inflammatory processes. UI is reportedly worse during an acute pulmonary exacerbation [5,8,11]. Cough is a known as a major cause of UI in CF.…”

Pregnancy and cystic fibrosis: Approach to contemporary management

“…Each review should include specific physiotherapy, dietetic, nursing and medical review. As a specific example, urinary incontinence is common in women with CF 91 and is likely to be exacerbated during pregnancy. Therefore, it is reasonable that similar recommendations for the general population with regards to pelvic floor strengthening should be extrapolated to pregnant women with CF.…”