The relationship between serum alpha-klotho levels and urinary incontinence in middle-aged and older females: insights from NHANES

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Urinary incontinence (UI) in females is a prevailing condition that affects individuals across various age groups and is not limited to older females. The presence of serum alpha-Klotho (α-klotho) serves as a reliable biomarker to indicate the effects of antiaging. Nevertheless, the scientific research on the association between α-klotho and UI remains limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate and evaluate the connection between α-klotho levels and the UI among females in the US. We utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2016 to investigate the potential connection between α-klotho levels and the UI among females aged 40 to 79. Weighted linear regression models and sensitivity tests were conducted to explore the correlation. 2628 females were involved in this study, representing 22,492,348 non-institutionalized residents in the US. The mean age was 53.9 ± 0.2 years and the mean level of α-klotho was 873.0 ± 8.9 pg/mL. After adjusting for relevant covariables, weighted linear regression models revealed that individuals with severe UI exhibited significantly lower serum α-klotho levels (β = − 100.66; 95% CI: − 156.31, − 45.01; P < 0.001) than those without UI. Furthermore, in stratified analyses, the correlation was not significant in individuals with normal weight, cardiovascular disease, or chronic kidney disease. We did not find a significant association between the type of UI and α-klotho levels. In the NHANES data from 2007 to 2016, a noteworthy inverse relationship was noted between α-klotho levels and the severity of UI among females aged 40 to 79.