Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and urge urinary incontinence: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013 to 2018

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the association between urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and weight-adjusted waist circumference index (WWI), a newly developed measure of obesity. Data from the 2013–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in the present cross-sectional study. Urge urinary incontinence was identified by self-reported urine leakage before reaching the toilet. Weighted multivariate logistic regression and generalized additive models were used to investigate the connection between WWI and UUI and its nonlinearity. The nonlinear relationship was explored using smoothed curve fitting. Additionally, further analyses were performed on subgroups and interaction tests were conducted. In the study, a total of 14,118 individuals were enrolled, with a UUI prevalence rate of 21.18%. Overall UUI was more prevalent with elevated WWI (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.13–12.8, P 0.05 for all interactions). Smoothed curve fitting showed no nonlinear relationship between WWI and UUI. In addition, a stronger correlation was found between WWI and UUI risk than other obesity indicators such as waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). Among US adults, weight-adjusted waist circumference index values are positively associated with elevated odds of UUI and show stronger associations than WC and BMI. Further studies are required to elucidate the causal relationship between WWI and UUI.