Prevalence of female urinary incontinence and its impact on quality of life in a cluster population in the United Kingdom (UK): a community survey.

AIM: To ascertain the prevalence of urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms, impact on quality of life and help-seeking behaviour. BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence is common and will affect more individuals as the population ages. Estimates of the prevalence of urinary incontinence vary hugely. Additional information is required to inform resource allocation. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional postal evaluation of all female patients over 21 years registered at a single medical practice in the United Kingdom. FINDINGS: A total of 40% of respondents suffered urinary incontinence, which caused significant problems in 8.5%. Stress urinary incontinence was the most common type of incontinence while 10% had symptoms of voiding dysfunction. A total of 17% of women had sought professional help. Patients perceived that urinary incontinence was part of the natural ageing process and that there was a low expectation of successful treatment.

Prevalence of genital prolapse symptoms in primary care: a cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms in a community-dwelling population in the United Kingdom. METHODS: All women over the age of 18 from a community practice were sent the validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for vaginal symptoms (ICIQ-VS), to determine their POP symptoms. Data were analysed as numbers (raw data) and percentages of responders. Statistical comparisons were made using Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests as appropriate. RESULTS: Questionnaires were mailed to 3,412 women, 1,832 completed questionnaires were received (response 53.7 %). Symptoms strongly associated with prolapse; vaginal bulge/lump and bulge or lump outside of the vagina had a prevalence of 8.4 % and 4.9 % respectively. Vaginal symptoms, previous pelvic floor surgery, and age were statistically increased in those who had had a previous vaginal delivery. There were statistically worse scores (more symptoms) for the group with any vaginal delivery with regard to "feeling a loose or lax vagina", "a vaginal lump or bulge coming down in the vagina". There was a high prevalence of worry regarding sexual function, regardless of delivery status, with no statistically significant differences found between those who had had a vaginal delivery and those who had not. The group with no vaginal deliveries described a statistically significant increase in the reported sensation of "do you feel your vagina is too tight". CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of POP were increased in those women who had experienced a vaginal delivery, whilst the sensation of having a tight vagina was decreased in those who had had a previous vaginal birth.