Influencing Factors on the Urinary Incontinence Related Quality of Life in Older Rural Women Aged 60 or Over

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting the quality of life among community-dwelling older women with urinary incontinence (UI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 475 women aged 60 or over who were recruited from 10 primary health care facilities in rural Korea. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic, health-related, and UI-related characteristics. The quality of life was assessed using Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL). SPSS/WIN 23.0 program was used to analyze descriptive statistics, χ2 test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s Correlation, and hierarchical regression. RESULTS: Of 475 subjects, 180 (37.9%) had urinary incontinence. The mean scores of I-QOL of women with and without UI were 76.87 and 94.77, respectively. The results of hierarchical regression analysis show that the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis total score was the greatest influencing factor, followed by age and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form total score. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that factors related to UI symptoms are more likely to have impact on the quality of life in women with UI. It suggests that early detection or management of UI is important in improving the quality of life of women with UI.