Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics, risk factors, and quality of life among women presenting at a urology outpatient department for evaluation and management of urinary incontinence (UI).
METHODS: The target population comprised women with a complaint of UI during a 1-year period presenting at the urology outpatient department of a training hospital in Ankara, Turkey. A data collection form was developed by the authors based on literature review. Validated instruments, including the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and the Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL), were included in the questionnaire.
RESULTS: Women aged 45 to 54 years made up 36.4% of the sample. Women reported stress UI symptoms (21.8%), urge UI symptoms (23.6%), and mixed UI symptoms (45.5%). Sixty percent stated that they experienced UI episodes several times daily, 38.2% experienced UI in large amounts, and 21.8% had experienced UI for 11 years or longer. Women suffering from UI had a total I-QOL median score of 46.36 (interquartile range = 28.18). It was found that UI moderately affects the quality of life in the Turkish women.
CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence exerts a major influence on health-related quality of life in affected women. Mixed UI was associated with the greatest level of social embarrassment assessed by the I-QOL.