Frequency of Urinary Incontinence and Its Impact on Physical Performance as well as Quality of Life of Elderly in El-Obour City

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common disorder that particularly affects elderly population worldwide. UI can be associated with poor quality of life (QOL) of this vulnerable population, as it leads to limitation of their physical and social activities of daily life. Additionally, it has psychological and economic burden on individuals, health care services. Objectives: This study was performed to measure frequency of UI and to determine its impact on the overall QOL of elderly, physical performance and activities of daily living. Participants and Methods: A cross sectional study was performed in four Primary Health Care centers (PHCs) (El-Mostakbal, El-Shabab, El-Hay El awal and El-Tarfehy Family Medicine centers). Sampling method: Data collection was done in randomly chosen days every week. All elders aged 60 or above, who attended the PHCs those days, were included. Results: The overall frequency of UI was 38% among the studied elderly. UI ranged from mild (12.3%) to moderate (57.9%) and severe (29.8%). Among incontinent participants, the frequency in men was 47.4% and in women was 52.6%. The frequency of stress, urge, mixed and other UI were 7%, 33.3%, 40.4% and 19.3% respectively. Incontinent elderly had significantly lower QOL as regards mental and physical indices than their continent counterparts. UI severity was inversely related to physical performance. Conclusion: UI has a high frequency rate among elderly population, and it has a significant impact on all QOL domains together with their physical performance. It is recommended to set up management plans in geriatric health care facilities to prevent UI and its impact on physical and mental health of this vulnerable population.