Urinary incontinence among community‐dwelling people aged 40 years or older in Japan: Prevalence, risk factors, knowledge and self‐perception

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common problem in adults, especially among the elderly. We examined the prevalence and risk factors of UI and potential factors hindering individuals from seeking treatment for UI among a community-dwelling population aged over 40 years. Methods: Data were collected by mailing a 23-item urinary incontinence questionnaire to a random sample of community-dwelling individuals aged 40-75 years (n = 3500) in seven towns of Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Collected data were then used to estimate the prevalence of UI and to provide information regarding subtypes of UI, knowledge and self-perception about UI. Results: The overall response rate was 52.5%. Prevalence of UI for male and female respondents were 10.5% and 53.7%, respectively. The incidence of urge incontinence increased as age increased in the male group. In women, stress incontinence was prevalent at all ages and the incidence of urge incontinence increased over 70 years of age. Urinary incontinence was more likely as activities of daily living limitations and cystitis increased. Women with a history of hysterectomy or diabetes mellitus and men who had stroke were at increased risk for UI. Of those who reported UI, only 3% had ever consulted doctors or other health care professionals concerning it, 25% recognized their condition as a disease and 38% considered it curable by appropriate treatments. In addition, 63% regarded UI as an unavoidable consequence of aging, 63% considered their condition was embarrassing and 54% were reluctant to seek treatment from a health professional. Conclusions: Although UI is common among community-dwelling individuals over 40 years of age, the majority of affected individuals remained untreated due to lack of knowledge and/or a negative perception of UI. Thus, community education on UI may be needed to increase the number of UI patients who receive treatment.

Urinary incontinence: prevalence, risk factors, impact on quality of life and treatment seeking behaviour among middle aged women

“…These findings were not similar to the study conducted by Kumari et al and Trupti N et al 14 These studies had shown higher incidence of stress urinary incontinence. Our study is different from other studies, may be due to difference in population studied.…”

Incontinence Induces Stratum Corneum Vulnerability and Impairs the Skin Barrier Function in the Perianal Region

“…In Japan, it is reported that the prevalence of urinary incontinence among community-dwelling individuals aged 40–75 years in males and females was 10.5 and 53.7%, respectively [1]. Other studies revealed that the rate of urinary incontinence was 16.2% in males and 23.2% in females [2], or more than 50% of nursing home residents [3, 4]. In addition, urinary incontinence impairs the skin barrier function and finally induces skin breakdown [5].…”

Geriatric Conditions Develop in Middle-Aged Adults with Diabetes

“…17 Diabetes is theorized to be associated with early or accelerated aging and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of some geriatric conditions (e.g., falls). 4,9,12,14,15,17 There is no consensus regarding the definitions and understanding of the terms geriatric condition and geriatric syndrome. 1 Previous work by the authors investigated seven conditions -cognitive impairment, falls, incontinence, low body mass index, dizziness, vision impairment, and hearing impairment.…”

“…Geriatric conditions are associated with functional impairment in older adults and contribute to their complex health status. 1 Diabetes mellitus co-occurs with geriatric conditions in older adults, [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and the American Geriatrics Society has included screening for and management of geriatric conditions (or syndromes) in its guidelines for improving the care of older adults with diabetes. 17 Diabetes is theorized to be associated with early or accelerated aging and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of some geriatric conditions (e.g., falls).…”