Abstract
Objective: We sought to identify the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to evaluate the risk factors of community-dwelling South Korean elders for developing UI.
Design: We undertook a cross-sectional study based on interviews using a structured questionnaire.
Setting and subjects: One hundred thirty-five community-dwelling elders, aged 85 years and older residing in 9 villages of Jeju Island, South Korea, were interviewed. Of 218 persons registered by the provincial government, interviews with 135 (62%) persons were completed.
Methods: Between April 5, 2004 and May 31, 2004, a researcher or 1 of 3 research assistants visited each subject's home. The interview took approximately 40 minutes to complete. Data were recorded by a research assistant and interviews were performed by the primary investigator or research assistant.
Instruments: LUTS severity was assessed by the Korean version of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) (7 items), and 3 additional items that specifically queried Urinary Incontinence (UI). Cognitive function and depression were assessed using the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) (13 items) and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korean Version (GDSSF-K) (15 items).
Results: Forty-seven elderly (34.8%) reported UI more than once a week during the prior 12 months. Mixed UI symptoms were reported by 29 subjects (61.7%), pure urge UI symp-toms by 16 (34.0%), and pure stress UI symptoms by 2 respondents (4.3%). The mean IPSS score of the subjects was 6.0 +/- 6.3 (range: 0-35). Risk factors for developing UI were moderate (odds ratio (OR) 17.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.87-45.30) and severe LUTS (OR 36.5; 95% CI 3.86-345.07) measured by the IPSS.
Conclusions: UI was found to affect 34.8% (47) of the community-dwelling elders 85 years or older in this study and mixed UI symptoms were predominant. LUTS was associated with an increased risk of UI.