Urinary incontinence: quality of life and psychological aspects

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of female urinary incontinence (UI) on quality of life. The method of research is based on a literature search on PubMed, Cochrane library and relevant articles from 1977 to 2012. Forty-eight works were found. Literature showed that UI affects a large percentage of the aged out patients. Women experience UI because of many reasons such as childbirth, menopause and previous gynaecologic surgery. Incontinence is to be treated as it impacts physiological and psychological aspects of patient’s life. Treatments include medical, physical (rehabilitation) and surgical approaches. Measures for assessment are made up by specific and non-specific questionnaires. Evaluation of female incontinence must take into account patients with and without medical treatment. Every sort of therapy has to consider the psychological impact too. In current literature depression, anxiety, shame and decreed selfefficacy resulted as the most important factors involving women with UI.

Keywords

• quality of life
• self-efficacy
• urinary incontinence
• instruments.