Urinary Incontinence and its Relation to Depression and Functional Disability among Frail Elderly Females living in Cairo, Egypt

Background UI is defined by the International Continence Society as any involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common clinical problem, and its incidence increases with age . UI is a major cause of disability and dependency, significantly increasing the risk of care home placement and adversely affecting the psychological, physical and social wellbeing of older people. Normal ageing is not a cause of UI, although age-related changes in lower urinary tract function can predispose older people to UI which is then exacerbated by comorbidities. UI is a major cause of disability and dependency, significantly increasing the risk of care home placement. It also predisposes to career negativity and stress, which itself is a major factor in placement for institutional care [1]. UI reduces the quality of life of elderly patients by causing physical, psychological, and social problems. Fear and isolation have been reported in 10% of elderly patients with UI and a reduced quality of life in 16% [2]. UI is accompanied by a sense of shame and psychological problems, such as depression and low self-confidence [3]. Urinary incontinence (UI) is frequently associated with a negative impact on quality of life (QOL) of the patient; despite not being a life-threatening condition, UI has many physical and psychological effects on the Abstract