Frequency of urinary incontinence in women, risk factors, and effect of incontinence on quality of life: A cross-sectional study on the Turkish population

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent health issue that has a psychological impact on those affected. Urinary incontinence, which affects approximately ۱ in every ۳ women, is a distressing condition that significantly impairs their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to investigate the frequency of UI in women, identify risk factors, and assess its impact on the QOL. Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study involved ۳۰۰ women aged ۲۰ and above who were admitted to the Obstetrics Clinic of a university hospital between June ۲۱, ۲۰۲۲, and August ۱۵, ۲۰۲۲. Data were collected through a questionnaire that included the Descriptive Characteristics Form, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and Wagner QOL Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version ۲۵, and results were evaluated with a ۹۵% CI. P values less than ۰.۰۵ were considered statistically significant. Results: The frequency of UI among the participants was ۴۸% according to the ICIQ-SF and ۶۲% according to the Wagner QOL Scale. Participants reported experiencing mild UI and psychological distress. The psychosocial well-being of women with UI was found to be moderately and negatively affected (۴۸%). It was determined that ۵۲.۲% of the variation in the UI variable could be explained by factors such as body mass index (BMI), history of miscarriage, education level, and age. Miscarriage (Odds ratio [OR], ۳.۱۰۲; ۹۵% CI, ۱.۵۰۲-۶.۴۰۸), lower education level (OR, ۳.۲۱۱; ۹۵% CI, ۱.۲۸۲-۸.۴۰۸), and age (OR, ۱.۰۶۱; ۹۵% CI, ۱.۰۲۴-۱.۱۰۰) were identified as risk factors for UI (P < ۰.۰۵). A significant correlation (r = ۰.۸۹; P < ۰.۰۰۱) was observed between the QOL and ICIQ-SF measurement tools. Conclusion: Nearly half of the women experience UI, which has a detrimental impact on their QOL. Higher education levels, healthy lifestyle, and post-miscarriage risk assessment can help protect women from UI.

Keywords:

Urinary incontinence , Women , Risk factors , Quality of life