Predicting delay to treatment of urinary incontinence among urban community-dwelling women in China

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of socioeconomic factors and variables related to delay to treatment on Chinese women with urinary incontinence (UI). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 346 incontinent women living in three urban communities. We enrolled a representative subsample of 196 women who sought treatment for UI within the next six months in the study. Socioeconomic and clinical characteristic data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form. Results: Of the 196 women (age [mean and standard deviation] 51.58 ± 7.91 years), the delay ranged 1–15 years; 64 women (32.7%) reported a >3-year delay. Age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31–3.00), lower UI severity (subjective) (OR = 2.32, 95%CI: 1.38–3.87), and non-mixed UI (stress or urgency UI alone, OR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.11–2.32) were risk factors for longer delay. Conclusion: Women who were older, had lower subjective UI severity, and who reported only stress or urgency UI tended to delay treatment longer; such patients should be targeted for health education and intervention regarding UI in urban communities.

Keywords

• Delay
• Lower urinary tract symptoms
• Urinary incontinence
• Women