The prevalence of female urinary incontinence in general practice

To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence, a questionnaire was administered to 2,911 women by 60 general practitioners, in April and May 1989. The first 50 women seen by the physician in his practice were included in the study. 1,075 women out of 2,911 (37%) declared the presence of episodes of incontinence. Among these 1,075 women, 77% had genuine stress incontinence, 60% urge incontinence, 35% spontaneous leakage. One out of five had these three conditions together. 12% of women with incontinence were less than 31 years of age, 36% were between 31 and 51 years, 20% between 51 and 70 years, and 31% above 70 years. Incontinent women were more frequently post-menopausal; 83% had children (74% for those without incontinence), but the parity was comparable in the two groups. Perineal tears, use of forceps for delivery, high-birth-weight children (above 3,500 g) were more frequently found in incontinent women; but not episiotomy. Incontinent women had more urinary infections, were more often obese, were slightly older at their first childbirth. Post-partum incontinence was found more frequently in incontinent women. A positive association is found with the presence of diabetes, neurological diseases, and chronic bronchitis and cough. Incontinent women more frequently underwent a gynecological surgical procedure, particularly hysterectomies. Incontinence had been present for more than 5 years in 34% of cases, one year in 77% of cases. Only 47 women out of 2,911 (1.6%) consulted specifically for their incontinence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)