The Epidemiological Study Of Women With Urinary Incontinence In China

The epidemiological study of women with urinary incontinence in ChinaBACKGROUNDAs the population ages rapidly and require for life quality, female urinary incontinence (UI) have been paying more attention. There are three types of urinary incontinence in women those are fairly well defined and used in survey questions, stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence is a common condition. Questionnaires studies of UI are abundant, but different studies have shown a wide variability among prevalence rates, mainly attributed to differences in the definitions used, the design of the questionnaires, the study population and selection criteria. UI is a distressing and common disorder among older women, it is a symptom with widespread family and social implications, causing discomfort, shame and loss of self-confidence, and may negatively affect the quality of life. The yearly direct cost is over ten billion in US. The mechanisms and the pathophysiology is dispute. The systematic and large scale epidemiological research of UI is empty in our country.OBJECTIVE1. To investigate the prevalence of different types of UI in Chinese women through the ICIQ-FLUTS. 2. To study the structural proportion of different types of UI in Chinese women.3. To investigate the epidemiological related factors on female stress urinary incontinence4. To study the reason of under-treated and help the health education of primary.5. To provide epidemiological data for the further research of UI in China.METHODSample Principle and sample sizeA population-based cross-sectional study was performed. A stratified random sample of 12000 was taken according to Peking epidemiological result.Sample timeFrom February to July, 2007.Sample object12000 subjects aged over 20 were taken from the population registration office among Northwest(Lanzhou), Southwest(Chengdu), North China(Taiyuan), East China(Wuxi), Northeast(Dalian) and South in the middle(Foushan). 12 investigated places (6 urbans and 6 rural community) were involved in total.ContentsAll the subjects were interviewed with questionnaire including their height, weight and waist circumference data, etc. Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaires, BFLUTS) for lower urinary tract symptoms.Quality controlQuestionnaires were filled by doctors who had received education on this investigation. A professional staff carry out the quality control.RESULTS1. The prevalence rate of UI, SUI, UUI and MUI is 30.9%, 18.9%, 2.6% and 9.4%.2. The constituent ratio of SUI, UUI and MUI is 61%: 8%: 31%.3. SUI was the most prevalent type in 50-year age group for 28%, although the prevalence of MUI increased with age.4. Older age, vaginal delivery, multipara, drinking, central obesity (female waist circumference≥80cm), constipation, chronic pelvic pain (CPP), the previous disease of respiratory system, Gynecological events, pelvic surgery and peri-menopausal period as well as menopause are potential risk factors for SUI in China.5. The consultation rate of UI is low in China included in this study, only 25%.CONCLUSIONS1. The prevalence of UI is relative high. SUI is the commonest type in China, and it was the most prevalent type in 50-year age group.2. Their structural characteristic is same to others' reports. SUI is a biggest part affected about 60% women.3. The first strictly, scientific and large-scale epidemiological investigation explains prevalence rates, structural characteristic and risk factors related SUI of different age group women in China.4. The epidemiological research of UI is very important for Chinese Urogynaecology. Only a limited group UI look for medical assistance. Health education interventions may aid appropriate help-seeking and self-care strategies. It does great good to society, science and economy.5. This population-based study not only provides the epidemiological data for health education of UI but also important information for Urogynaecological development.