Epidemiologic Study of Urinary Incontinence for Korean Women over 30 Years old

Song, Hyo Jeong; Lee, Dong Hwan; Lee, Ji Youl; Kim, Myung Ja

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of female urinary incontinence, and factors affecting the quality of life. It was also to provide the basic data for the primary urinary incontinence management program through the community-based cross sectional study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Questionnaires were taken from 2,183 women, aged over 30 up to 89, residing in Seoul, Kyongki . Kangwon, Chungchong, YongNam, HoNam, Jeju provinces. Those who understood and responded to the questionnaires were collected from church meetings, teaching facilities, corporations, public offices, the voluntary organizations, and old people's homes. The data were analyzed by Student t-test, chi2-test, and multiple logistic regression with using SAS program.
RESULTS
The results were as follows ; 1. The overall reported prevalence of urinary incontinence was 55.7% with urinary leakage more than one time a month for the past one year. By age, the highest prevalence was 71.0% in the fifties. The stress urinary incontinence was 60.8%, the mixed urinary incontinence 38.2%, the urge urinary incontinence 1.0 %. In case of severity, a slight case was 64.3%, a moderate case 21.8% and a severe case 13.6%. 2. Urinary incontinence was associated with the radiation therapy on lower abdomen (OR=3.05, 95% CI=1.47, 6.33), hysterectomy (OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.05, 5.62), alcohol intake(OR=1.43,95% CI=1.08, 1.89), high economic status(OR=1.37, 95% CI=1.04, 1.81), lower urinary tract symptoms(OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.12, 1.21), high body mass index(OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.02, 1.15) and old age(OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.04, 1.08).
CONCLUSIONS
The above findings indicate that the prevention and management programs of the urinary incontinence should be developed and operated for the female in Korea and for those who had risk factors associated with the urinary incontinence.