Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Sexual Function, and the Quality of Life of Married Women with Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify the level of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), sexual function, and quality of life (QoL) and its correlates in married women with urinary incontinence (UI). Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires that included items on general and UI-related characteristics, and tools to measure LUTS (Scored Form of the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire, BFLUTS-SF), Sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI), and QOL (The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Version 2 Standard, SF-36v2). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. About 55% of the participants were identified as women with UI. Stress UI was 54.7% and the proportions of urge UI and mixed UI were 13.3% and 32.0%, respectively. The average score for LUTS, sexual function, physical QoL, and mental QoL in married women with UI were found to be 7.55±4.27 points, 14.67±10.52 points, 72.21±18.51 points, and 77.78±15.98 points, respectively. LUTS has a statistically significant negative correlation with sexual function, physical QOL, and mental QoL, respectively, r=-.234, r=-.486, and r=-.445. Sexual function has a statistically significant positive correlation with physical and mental QoL, respectively, r=.322 and r=.360. The results of this study are expected to provide basic data for therapeutic nursing intervention in LUTS management, sexual dysfunction, and low QoL in women with UI, and help to identify and understand the disease of UI.