The impact of urinary incontinence on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a real-world population of women aged 45-60 years: results from a survey in France, Germany, the UK and the USA.

Abstract

To develop a clear understanding of the relationship between severity of urinary incontinence (UI) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental well-being in a population of women of working age with the requisite demands of a busy, active life. A survey of women with UI, aged between 45 and 60 years, was conducted via the internet in the UK, France, Germany and USA between 1 and 30 September 2013. Validated outcome measures were used to assess symptoms and the impact of UI on activities of daily life, HRQoL, and mental well-being: The International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire Short Form; (ICIQ-UI Short Form); the ICIQ-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life; (ICIQ-LUTSqol); the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). The relationships between UI, HRQoL and mental well-being were analysed using analyses of variance and regression. The survey was completed by 1203 women with UI with an average age of 52.7 years. Based upon responses to the ICIQ-UI Short Form about the amount of urine that leaks, respondents were categorised as having light (n = 1023, 87%), medium (n = 134, 11%), or severe UI (n = 20, 2%). The scores on the ICIQ-UI Short Form increased with severity [mean (sd) scores: light UI 7.9 (3.4), medium UI 13.8 (2.9), and severe UI 18.3 (3.9)], as did the impact on HRQoL, assessed using the ICIQ-LUTSqol [mean (sd) scores: light UI 30.6 (7.3), medium UI 41.0 (11.2), and severe UI 56.9 (17.6)]. Mental well-being decreased with severity of UI, the mean (se) WEMWBS scores were: light UI 48.3 (10.1), medium UI 44.5 (9.5), and severe UI 39.9 (16.2). In women with UI, aged 45-60 years, UI symptoms directly affect HRQoL, which subsequently impacts negatively on mental well-being.