Urinary incontinence and its association with socioeconomic status among middle-aged and older persons in Taiwan: A population-based study.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the association between socioeconomic status and urinary incontinence (UI). We used data from the three waves of the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. This study included 2458 women and 2866 men aged ≥50 years. We used logistic random effects models to examine the associations of interest, adjusting for demographics, health-related behaviors, disability, number of health conditions and prostate problems for men and numbers of children for women. In adjusted analysis, women with secondary education least frequently reported UI compared with women with no formal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.22-0.79). Those with severe economic hardships (vs those with no economic hardships) had an increased risk of UI among men and women (AOR 2.71, 95% CI 1.72-4.25 and AOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.31-2.88, respectively). Compared with men doing mentally demanding jobs, service workers/salesperson and retired men were more prone to UI (AOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.14-6.36 and AOR 2.41, 95% CI 1.19-4.87, respectively). Further analysis showed that the associations of economic hardship with UI were attenuated when adjusting for access to healthcare. No formal education in women and severe economic hardship in both the sexes were associated with an increased risk of UI among middle-aged and older persons. The disparities should be taken into account in interventions for prevention, treatment and management of UI. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 245-253.