Prevalence and Determinants of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Middle-Aged and Older Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a prevalent chronic condition that significantly impacts the quality of life in middle-aged and older women. However, controversy persists regarding the factors influencing SUI in this population. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of SUI in middle-aged and older women through a meta-analysis.

Methods: Cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies related to the prevalence and determinants of SUI in women aged ≥40 years were meticulously retrieved from databases such as Public Medical Database (PubMed), Web of Science, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and Viper Information Products (VIP), covering data until March 31, 2024. Two researchers independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Meta-analysis was conducted utilising Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3 software.

Results: Thirteen studies with a total sample size of 19,283 were included. The meta-analysis indicated that the prevalence of SUI among middle-aged and older women was 27%. Identified risk factors for SUI included age ≥50 years, body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg/m², low educational attainment, history of pelvic organ prolapse, previous pelvic surgery, constipation, urinary tract infections, hypertension, vaginal delivery, parity ≥2, and menopause.

Conclusions: SUI is prevalent among middle-aged and older women, affecting over a quarter of this population. Recognising the risk factors associated with SUI is crucial for strengthening the assessment, intervention, and overall quality of life in these women.