Indifference and resignation of Japanese women toward urinary incontinence

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a large population of Japanese women and examined their interest in UI to assess their concerns. A 15-item questionnaire was administered to 19239 women at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Osaka City University Hospital between April 1992 and March 2000. A total of 5160 (26.8%) women indicated that they had some symptoms of UI. It was also revealed that 2429 (47.1%) had some stress incontinence 1530 (29.7%) had urge incontinence 1078 (20.9%) had mixed incontinence and 123 (2.4%) had other types. Furthermore prevalence of UI was associated with increase in age. However only 221 (4.3%) of the women who complained of UI wished to be treated indicating reasons such as do not mind (21.6%); resignation (38.9%); shame (35.0%); and others (4.4%). These results indicate that most patients seem to be resigned or feel ashamed to consult a physician regarding incontinence. It is important therefore to provide Japanese women with correct information about UI to improve their quality of life.