Tweet

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The assessment of risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI) can help the physician detect patients with UI. Apart from traditional risk factors, specifically related to stress UI, other factors such as medications and drinking habits can influence urge micturition. The present study analyzed the prevalence of risk factors for UI in a population treated in primary care centers, with at least 2 urinary symptoms.

Methods: This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, multicenter, nonprobabilistic study with a consecutive inclusion of cases. For our case, 2 276 physicians recruited primary care patients over 18 years old with at least 2 urinary symptoms, excluding those with urethral catheters.

Results: In the 4 674 patients, with a mean age of 64.7 years, most were women (72.6%), and the most prevalent urinary symptoms were frequent urination, urgency, and nocturia. More than 90% of patients had 3 or more symptoms of UI. The most important risk habits were the intake of coffee or tea (32.3%), followed by liquid intake such as water, juice, or soft drinks (29.9%). Of our patients, 73% were taking medication, which could affect micturition. The most prevalent pathological antecedents were those linked to gender, followed by recurrent urinary infections, and diabetes.

Conclusion: Despite a high prevalence of UI in the adult population, there’s a low demand for health care. Moreover, the majority of these patients have habits and risk pathologies that could be solved or at least eased with medical advice that could result in improved quality of life.

Juan Manuel Mendive, Pablo Rebollo, Maite Pérez

Submitted February 21, 2012 - Accepted for Publication April 4, 2012

KEYWORDS: Epidemiological study, health care demand, overactive bladder, quality of life, urinary incontinence

CORRESPONDENCE: Juan Manuel Mendive Arbeloa, MD, Centro de Atención Primaria La Mina, Institut Català de la Salut, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona, Spain (jmendivea@meditex.es).

CITATION:UroToday Int J. 2012 June;5(3):art 23. http://dx.doi.org/10.3834/uij.1944-5784.2012.06.10