Relationship of chronic diseases and the history of gestation and delivery with urinary incontinence among elderly people of rural areas in Jixian county, Tianjin / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the relationship of chronic diseases and the history of gestation and delivery with urinary incontinence (UI) among elderly people of rural areas, so as to lay a scientific foundation for formulating strategies of prevention and treatment for UI. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in two towns of Jixian county, Tianjin. A total of 743 people aged 60 years and over were selected with cluster sampling, and all information were collected with a standardized structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview. The relationships of chronic diseases and the history of gestation and delivery with UI were analyzed with univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression method. Results Prevalence of UI was 33. 4% among the people aged 60 years and over in two towns of Jixian, and it was higher in females than in males (43. 2% vs. 22.8%, χ~2= 34.70, P<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the chronic respiratory diseases, prostate disease, neurological diseases or motor system diseases were all associated with UI in men, and the elderly men who suffered from prostate disease and neurological diseases had the highest risk of UI (OR=11. 47, OR=11. 76). Constipation, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus and motor system diseases were all associated with UI in women, and the elderly women with chronic respiratory diseases had the highest risk of UI (OR = 4. 84). Elderly women who had more gravidity (OR = 1. 03), more parity (OR= 1.02), perineal laceration (OR = 1.72) and wound infection (OR= 1. 65) during delivery had higher prevalence of UI. Conclusions Prevalence of UI is higher among the elderly people in rural areas of Jixian county, and several chronic diseases and gestation and delivery history in women are all associated with UI in the elderly. For the prevention of UI, the elderly should actively look for treating their chronic diseases and the medical workers should strengthen health education or health care for pregnant women.