Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence and Other Urologic Symptoms in a Community Residing Elderly People

Kim, Jeung Im

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), urologic symptoms, chronic health problems they have, and to explore whether the differences in incidence of UI ware by age, sex, voiding pattern, and chronic health problems. METHOD: 298 subject were selected, age range from 60 to 94 years residing in one city, in republic of Korea. Data was collected presence of UI, urologic symptoms, chronic health problems, knowledge, and the discomfort with incontinent. Collected data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, t-test, and x2-test. RESULT: The results of this study are as follows: 1. Mean age was 71.4 years. Prevalent rate of UI was 17.0%, woman showed more than man. 2. UI incidence was significant in age (t=7.84, p=.000), sex (x2 =9.47, p=.002), and voiding frequency (x2=18.34, p=.000). Also, UI incidence was significant relationship with chronic health problem of heart disease (x2 =10.65, p=0.001), hypertension (x2=4.04, p= 0.046) and respiratory problem (x2=9.67, p=0.002). 3. The UI was grouped into urgent incontinence (45%), stress incontinence (33%), and combined (22%). UI occurred during the daytime 48% and 17% at night. 4. Only 9.8 % of the UI seek advice and/or treatment for their symptoms, almost 90 % remained untreated due to lack of knowledge or improper information. 5. The discomforts due to their UI was no significant difference in their condition, the urgent use of the rest room, leaking urine, and nocturia.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that 1 year and 3 year follow-up study is needed to compare health status of UI. Also suggests intervention study for urologic discomfort of incontinent and behavioral education for the elderly are needed.