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Subject Area

Family Medicine

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background Urinary incontinence (UI) is considered as a distressing and debilitating condition in elderly women. It has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of UI among elderly women attending a family health center and identify the risk factors associated with the development of UI among the studied group. Patients and methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a rural family health center, Gharbiya Governorate. The study was carried out on 217 elderly women. A structured questionnaire sheet was used to determine the sociodemographic criteria of the studied participants and predesigned questionnaires for the diagnosis of UI and to assess its severity. Results The overall prevalence of UI among the studied participants was 67%. The prevalence of mixed, stress, urgency UI was 31, 27, 9%, respectively. Its severity among the studied women ranged from slight (11%) to moderate (55.5%), severe (30.1%), and very severe (3.4%). The mean age was significantly higher among the incontinent group (67.55 ± 7.12). There was a significant association between UI and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and urinary tract infection (odds ratio = 20.44, 13.63, 6.07), respectively. Obesity and constipation were significantly associated with stress incontinence and mixed incontinence. No significant relationship was found between the different types of UI and obstetric history. Conclusion A high prevalence of UI (67%) was detected among the studied group. The most commonly associated risk factors were age, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, urinary tract infection, and constipation.

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