Association between intrinsic capacity and urinary incontinence in community-dwelling octogenarians: Results from the ilSIRENTE study

Background

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common in older adults. The construct of intrinsic capacity (IC) provides a multidimensional framework to assess functional reserves. This cross-sectional study examined the association between IC and UI in community-dwelling octogenarians from the Ageing and Longevity in the Sirente (ilSIRENTE) study.

Methods

IC was computed as the mean of standardized (0−100) scores across five domains (locomotion, cognition, vitality, psychological well-being, and sensory function) derived from Minimum Data Set for Home Care (MDS-HC) instruments and supplementary tests. UI was defined as a score of 3 or more on MDS-HC item I1. Associations between IC and UI were examined using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Restricted cubic splines tested linearity.

Results

Among 320 participants (median age 83.9 years [81.7–88.5]; 67.2% women), 35 (10.9%) had UI. Incontinent individuals had a lower total IC score (60.2 [51.5–69.7] vs. 85.2 [76.1–92.7]; p < 0.001) and lower scores in the locomotion, cognition, vitality, psychological well-being, and sensory domains. In fully adjusted models, higher IC score was associated with lower odds of UI (per 10-point increase: OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.24–0.48). High IC score was associated with markedly lower odds of UI compared with low IC score (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.02–0.20). Restricted cubic spline analyses supported linearity (p for non-linearity = 0.701).

Conclusions

Lower IC scores were associated with higher odds of UI, particularly in locomotion, cognition, vitality, and sensory domains. These findings support UI as a marker of multidimensional vulnerability and highlight the value of IC-oriented assessment to guide multidomain interventions in geriatric care.