Risk Estimation and Stratification of Urinary Incontinence: Its Determinants and Quality of Life in Indian Females - A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The International Continence Society defined urinaryincontinence (UI) as “involuntary loss of urine which is deleterious andcauses social embarrassment and creates negative self-perception infemales”. India has a 21.8% prevalence of UI which increases with age.Methods: A community-based study was conducted using a selfstructuredand validated questionnaire at the Outpatient Departmentof a tertiary healthcare hospital from October 2020 to January 2021for females between 35 and 65 years of age. 182 females who visitedthe hospital underwent preliminary screening for any complaintsrelated to occasional or repeated problems of urinary leakage, andthose who reported concern were further interviewed in detail withthe self-structured questionnaire.Results: Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to estimate theproportion of each category of the respective groups. 28.02% of thestudy population belonging to the age group of 35 to 65 years wasfound to have UI. Regression analysis estimated that females withvaginal deliveries (> 3), diabetes (random blood sugar level above 120mg/dl), chronic cough more than 6 months, constipation, and lowerurinary tract infection, exhibit greater odds of having UI.Quality of life assessment was performed incorporating King’s quality oflife questionnaire which showed that the urinary incontinence impactdecreased the general health of females and caused limitations tophysical functions as well as psychological well-being which may leadto emotional and sleep disturbances.Conclusions: Females with higher BMI, normal vaginal deliveries, andlower urinary tract infections can lead to urinary incontinence andworsen quality of life. How to cite this article:Joshi R, Rathi M. Risk Estimation and Stratificationof Urinary Incontinence: Its Determinants andQuality of Life in Indian Females - A Cross-sectional Study. Chettinad Health City Med J.2023;12(3):86-91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202356