Analysis of the effectiveness of urinary incontinence management in a geriatric rehabilitation

Abstract

Urinary incontinence is awidespread health-related problem predominately occurring in older adults. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the management of urinary incontinence in routine care in ageriatric rehabilitation clinic. Aprospective observational study without a control group was conducted between 7 February 2018 and 7 June 2018. All patients included in the study (N = 32) received individualized guideline-conform measures to improve the symptoms of incontinence during the rehabilitation period. To assess the change in symptoms, the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) was used at admission (T0) and discharge (T1). Assessment of patient satisfaction was conducted at T1 using the benefit, satisfaction, and willingness to continue treatment questionnaire (BSW). The total score of the ICIQ-UI SF improved by an average of 3.4points (p = 0.004) due to adecrease in the frequency of incontinence episodes and in areduction in the urine volume lost. Furthermore, there was adecrease in the number of patients who lost alarge amount of urine from 9.4% at T0 to 3.1% at T1. The proportion of patients with incontinence several times aday, decreased from 68.6% to 31.3% during the intervention. Of the patients 80% received aguideline-conform treatment during the time of rehabilitation and 64% of the patients were satisfied with the treatment. The guideline-conform treatment of urinary incontinence in geriatric patients led to an improvement in the symptoms. Alarge number of patients benefited from the management of urinary incontinence during the rehabilitation period.