Female urinary incontinence: quality of life comparison on reproductive age and postmenopausal period

Cristina Said Saleme,Andreza Carvalho Rabelo Mendonça,Érica Brito Wardini,Josimari Melo De Santana,Aline Teixeira Alves,Mariana Tirolli Rett

doi:10.1590/0103-5150.029.001.ao07

Cristina Said Saleme, Andreza Carvalho Rabelo Mendonça + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-5150.029.001.ao07

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Abstract

Abstract Introduction: urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any involuntary leakage of urine and their symptoms can affect women's quality of life (QoL). Objectives: to compare incontinent women's QoLin reproductive age (G1) with those in post menopausal period(G2). Material and methods: a descriptive and retrospective study involved 86 women with UI complaints. Clinical, sociodemographic, obstetrical and gynecological antecedents were collected. Pelvic floor evaluation was conducted by digital palpation and QoL was evaluated by King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ). Mann-Whitney and t Student test were used to compare QoL domains. Results: 36 women in reproductive age (G1) 42.9 (± 7,4) years and 50 women in postmenopausal period (G2) 61,6 (± 9,3) years were assessed. The G2 showed significantly more nocturia (p = 0,0057), urge incontinence (p = 0,0061) and enuresis (0,0021) symptoms, whereas in G1 bladder pain and voiding difficulties were more significant. KHQ domains showed statistical differences in: general health perception (G1 26,4 ± 16,8 versus G2 38,0 ± 16.2; p = 0,0019) and emotions (G1 15,1 ± 31,3 versus G2 38,9 ± 37,5; p = 0,0051). Conclusion: UI affects negatively QoLin women. Women on postmenopausal period showed higher impact on the QoLdomains related to general health perception and emotions.

Highlights

International Continence Society (ICS) and the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) defines Urinary incontinence (UI) as any involuntary complaint of urine leakage [1]
Obesity, menopause, gynecological surgery, constipation, smoking and low level of physical activity are taken into account to UI development [4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
According to ICS and IUGA consensus, the following types of UI could be described: stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as urine leakage during physical exertion, cough or sneeze; urge incontinence (UI) is an urgency associated to involuntary urine leakage which could be caused by a detrusor overactivity during bladder filling; and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) presents symptoms of both urinary incontinences SUI and UI

Summary

Introduction

International Continence Society (ICS) and the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) defines Urinary incontinence (UI) as any involuntary complaint of urine leakage [1]. Urinary symptoms may affect women routine adversely, leading to limitation in physical, social, occupational, domestic and sexual activities. QoL is a concept that involves physical health, psychologic status, independence level, social interaction, personal believes, and their relationship with environment Additional data, such as pelvic floor muscle strength through Modified Brink Scale was assessed [19]. QoL evaluation was performed through King-s Health Questionnaire (KHQ), that was translated and validated to Portuguese language [20]. It has thirty questions, divided in nine domains: health perception, incontinence impact, daily activities limitation, physical limitation, social limitation, personal relationship, emotions, sleep and energy, and severity measures. Mann-Whitney and Student tests were used to compare QoL evaluation domains

Results

Discussion

Conclusion