Prevalence, impact and correlates of treatment-seeking for urinary incontinence in elderly patients attending main university hospital of Alexandria, Egypt

الملخص EN

Introduction : Urinary incontinence may be Stress urinary incontinence, Urge incontinence, or Mixed urinary incontinence.

Variations in the prevalence rates of urinary incontinence have been reported in the literature.

Urinary incontinence affects the lives of patients.

The direct relationship between urinary incontinence, stress and depression has already been documented.

Aim : to study the prevalence and correlates of treatment-seeking for urinary incontinence in elderly patients attending tertiary care hospitals in Alexandria and to explore the impact of incontinence on quality of life in terms of its effect on physical, behavioral, psychological, social and sexual well-being.

Subjects : Elderly patients aged ≥ 65 with urinary incontinence (UI) attending a urinary incontinence outpatient clinic or geriatric department of Alexandria Main University hospital.

Results : In our study the prevalence of UI was estimated to be 69%.

Stress incontinence was the most common type 67.3%, followed by urge incontinence 19.7% and mixed type was the least 13.0%.

The highest proportion leaked once or more per day 72.661%.

The most common activities leading to urine leakage were hand washing 91.5%.

A total of 45.5% suggested restricted mobility due to hospitalization and musculoskeletal disorders.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among elderly patients with UI was 67.9%.

54% of cases stated that their general health was poor and 26.3% mentioned it was very poor.

Conclusion : From this study it was concluded that the prevalence of urinary incontinence among elderly patients was estimated to be 69% and it was common in elderly female.

There were significant associations between urinary incontinence and depression, psychological stress and life limitation.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms in elderly patients with UI was 67.9%.

UI was considered as an obstacle in good social and physical well-being.