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Title: Incontinence Affects a Substantial Proportion of Women, Prevalence Increases With Age
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22C812.htm
Doctor's Guide
September 16, 2008

CHICAGO -- September 16, 2008 -- Nearly one-quarter of women surveyed, and more than one-third of older women, report at least 1 pelvic floor disorder, which includes urinary and fecal incontinence and the shifting of a pelvic organ, according to a study in the September 17 issue of JAMA. These disorders become more prevalent with increasing age and weight.

According to background information from the article, no single national population-based survey has assessed the prevalence of major pelvic floor disorders in US women, therefore the national burden related to these diseases remains unknown.

Ingrid Nygaard, MD, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, and colleagues conducted a study to provide prevalence estimates of symptomatic pelvic floor disorders in women.

The study included 1,961 women aged 20 years and older who were not pregnant and who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2006. Women were interviewed in their homes and then underwent standardised physical examinations in a mobile examination centre. Urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse symptoms were assessed.

The researchers found that overall, 23.7% of women reported symptoms of at least 1 pelvic floor disorder. Of these, 15.7% experienced urinary incontinence, 9.0% experienced fecal incontinence, and 2.9% experienced symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse.

The proportion of women who reported at least 1 pelvic floor disorder increased with age (9.7% in women aged 20-39 y, 26.5% in women aged 40-59 y, 36.8% in women aged 60-79 y, and 49.7% in women aged 80 years or older).

Overweight and obese women were more likely to report at least 1 pelvic floor disorder than women of normal weight. Prevalence was 15.1% for underweight/normal weight, 26.3% for overweight, and 30.4% for obese women.

In addition, the more children a woman had given birth to increased the likelihood of at least 1 pelvic floor disorder. Race/ethnicity and education were not significantly associated with having a pelvic floor disorder.

"These data represent the first nationwide, population-based estimates of the 3 primary pelvic floor disorders in women in the United States derived from a single source. By 2030, more than one-fifth of women will be 65 years or older. As the population of older women increases, the national burden related to pelvic floor disorders in terms of health care costs, lost productivity, and decreased quality of life will be substantial," authors wrote.

"Given the burden pelvic floor disorders place on US women and the health care system, research is needed to further understand their pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment,"

SOURCE: JAMA

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