The prevalence of urinary incontinence in women in four European countries.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the prevalence, type and treatment behaviour of women with urinary incontinence in four European countries.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Data were collected using a postal survey which was sent to 29,500 community-dwelling women aged > or = 18 years in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Subjects were asked about the type of urinary incontinence they had experienced and their treatment behaviour.

RESULTS:

Of the women who responded, 35% reported involuntary loss of urine in the preceding 30 days; stress urinary incontinence was the most prevalent type. The lowest prevalence was in Spain (23%), while the prevalence was 44%, 41% and 42% for France, Germany and the UK, respectively. About a quarter of women with urinary incontinence in Spain (24%) and the UK (25%) had consulted a doctor about it; in France (33%) and Germany (40%) the percentages were higher. Overall, <5% of the women had ever undergone surgery for their condition. While pads were used by half of the women, there were some differences among the countries.

CONCLUSIONS:

Millions of women in Europe have urinary incontinence; the consultation and treatment rates were low in the European countries included in this study.

• Authors: S Hunskaar, G Lose, D Sykes, S Voss
• Journal: BJU international (BJU Int) Vol. 93 Issue 3 Pg. 324-30 (Feb 2004) ISSN: 1464-4096 [Print] England
• PMID: 14764130 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Distribution
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Europe (epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Patient Acceptance of Health Care (statistics & numerical data)
• Prevalence
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Urinary Incontinence (epidemiology, etiology, therapy)