A population study of urinary incontinence and nocturia among women aged 20‐59 years

Abstract

Background. The aim was to study urinary incontinence (UI) and nocturia in a female population: prevalence, effect on well‐being, wish for treatment and result of treatment in primary health care. Methods. A postal questionnaire was sent to all women aged 20‐59 years who were scheduled for gynecological health examination by midwives in a primary health care district during one year. Questions concerning well‐being were based on the Gothenburg QOL instrument. All women with incontinence were offered treatment by a midwife and a family doctor. Results. Of the included 641 women. 491 (77%) answered the questionnaire. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 27.7%, 3.5% having daily leakage. Nocturia occurred in 32 women (6.5%). 12 of whom were also incontinent. Self‐assessed health, sleep, fitness and satisfaction with work situation decreased significantly with increased frequency of incontinence. Well‐being was not correlated to type of incontinence. Nocturia correlated to poor health and sleep. About a quarter of the incontinent women started treatment when offered and 80% of those who completed the treatment program were subjectively improved. Wish for treatment was directly correlated to frequency of incontinence but not to type. Conclusions. Urinary incontinence and nocturia affect well‐being in a negative way. Well‐being and wish for treatment correlate to frequency of incontinence but not to type of incontinence. Most women with UI accept it; only about a quarter of incontinent women, or 6‐7% of all women in the studied age group, want treatment. Treatment of female urinary incontinence in primary health care is successful.