Urinary incontinence in both sexes: prevalence rates and impact on quality of life and sexual life.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence in both sexes in Austria and to assess its impact on quality of life and sexual function. Voluntary health examinations free of charge are regularly organized in the area of Vienna. From May 1998 to April 1999 we have included in this health examination an incontinence questionnaire containing 37 items, which was largely based on the Bristol female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) questionnaire. This questionnaire asks in detail for various aspects of urinary incontinence/voiding problems, including the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life and sexual function. In this questionnaire, urinary incontinence was defined as any involuntary loss of urine within the past 4 weeks. The data of 2,498 participants (1,262 women [f]: mean age: 49.7+/-13.6 years and 1,236 men [m]: 48.6+/-13.0 years; age range: 20-96 years) were analyzed. Overall, 26.3% of women and 5.0% of men reported on episodes of urinary incontinence during the past 4 weeks. Prevalence rates increased constantly with age in both sexes: 20-29 years: 4.1% (f), 1.7% (m); 30-39 years: 10.8% (f), 2.7% (m); 40-49 years: 22.9% (f); 3.9% (m); 50-59 years: 34.9% (f), 3.7% (m); 60-69 years: 36.9% (f), 7.6% (m); 70 years or older: 36.0%% (f), 11.5% (m). Overall, 65.7% of women and 58.3% of men stated that quality of life was affected by their incontinence status. A moderate or severe impairment was reported by 18.3% of women and 16.6% of men. Impairment of quality of life was related as statistically significant (P < 0.05) to frequency and degree of incontinence (irrespective of the type of incontinence), the impact on sexual function and need for pads or other incontinence devices. Patient gender, age, and the duration of incontinence had no effect (P > 0.05) on quality of life. An impairment of sexual life by urinary incontinence was stated by 25. 1% of women and 30.5% of women, respectively. Although only 65.7% of women and 58.3% men with urinary incontinence reported on an impairment of quality of life, these data underline the high prevalence and socioeconomic implications of this disorder. The impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life is significantly higher than on sexual function.