Urinary incontinence in institutionalized elderly: prevalence and impact on quality of life

AbstractIntroduction Urinary incontinence is a geriatric syndrome that generates strong economic and social impacts as well as emotional changes and negative consequences for the health of the elderly.Objective The objective of this work was to identify the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its associated factors, as well as its impact on quality of life of institutionalized elderly.Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted herein, with 10 long-term institutions for the elderly of the municipality of Natal (Northeast Brazil). The Minimum Data Set was completed by caregivers to determine the presence of incontinence, and the Short Form of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire was answered by the elderly, to assess the frequency and amount of urinary leakage, the impact on quality of life, and the type of incontinence. The chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were applied in the bivariate analysis, and logistic regression was utilized for multivariate analysis.Results The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 42.7% (95% CI: 34.8–50.8). The impact of this condition on daily life was mild in 46.5% of cases, moderate for 29.3% of cases, and severe in 24.1% of cases. The condition was associated with functional impairment (p < 0.001; RP: 4.13).Final considerations The prevalence of urinary incontinence in this sample, which presented cognitive ability to answer questionnaires, was over 40% with a high degree of severity. Approximately half of the incontinents referred a moderate-severe impact of incontinence. Control measures for this geriatric syndrome within the institutions are important to delay the decline of health and improve the quality of life of the residents.

摘要与研究背景：尿失禁作为一种老年综合征，可产生显著的经济与社会影响，同时引发老年人情绪变化，并对其健康造成不良后果。
研究目的：本研究旨在明确机构养老老年人尿失禁的患病率及其相关影响因素，并探讨该病症对其生活质量的影响。
材料与方法：本研究采用横断面研究设计，纳入巴西东北部纳塔尔市10家长期养老机构的老年人作为研究对象。照护人员填写最小数据集（Minimum Data Set）以确定尿失禁的发生情况；老年人填写国际尿失禁咨询问卷简版（Short Form of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire），用于评估尿漏的频率、漏尿量、对生活质量的影响程度及尿失禁类型。双变量分析采用卡方检验（chi-square test）与Fisher确切概率法（Fisher’s exact test），多变量分析采用逻辑回归分析。
研究结果：本研究样本中尿失禁患病率为42.7%（95%置信区间：34.8~50.8）。该病症对日常生活的影响程度为轻度者占46.5%，中度者占29.3%，重度者占24.1%。尿失禁与功能障碍显著相关（p < 0.001；相对危险度：4.13）。
研究结论：本研究样本为具备问卷作答认知能力的老年人，其尿失禁患病率超过40%，且病情严重程度较高。约半数尿失禁老年人报告尿失禁对其生活造成中重度影响。养老机构内应针对该老年综合征采取防控措施，以延缓健康状况衰退，提升入住老年人的生活质量。