Seguimiento durante 5 años de la incontinencia urinaria en los ancianos de una población rural española

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo determine prevalence, incidence and remission rates and change patterns of urinary incontinence (UI) over a 5-year time span.DESIGNLongitudinal study.LOCATIONBasic Health Zone of Cabra (Cordoba).PATIENTSA random age-stratified sample of 827 subjects selected from a total of 5139 persons > or = 65 years of age and followed up between 1996 and 2001.INTERVENTIONSHome interview.MEASUREMENTSQuestions about detection and level of severity of UI, sociodemographic data, and level of functioning. Two logistic regression models were created to identify risk factors for the probability to be alive and to develop UI, respectively.RESULTSUI prevalence reached 36% at baseline and 46% five years later. Mortality rates were similar in continent and incontinent subjects. 54.5% of continent subjects in 1996 remained so in 2001. Five-year incidence and remission rates were 29% and 15%, respectively. In both sexes, slight and moderate incontinence mainly progressed to moderate and severe degrees, whereas severe UI remained unchanged in 40.1%. The main risk factors for increased survival and for UI incidence were self-rated health and level of functioning.CONCLUSIONSPrevalence of UI is high, incidence is moderate and remission is low. Urinary incontinence is a dynamic problem and does not affect mortality. Impaired mobility has a strong influence on UI incidence.