Urology Department, School of Medicine, Ioannina University, Ioannina, Greece.
Incontinence Unit, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre EU PRATTEIN, Volos, Greece.
Clin Interv Aging. 2021 Feb 16;16:291-299. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S283737. eCollection 2021.
Older people, especially women, have the highest known prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) of any other age-group. Continual care provision for elderly incontinent females is an incredibly arduous process, yet only very few studies have investigated the issue. Aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of mirabegron's treatment on the degree of burden experienced by caregivers of elderly female patients with UI.
A hundred and eighty-six caregivers of older females with mixed or urgency UI besides various conditions (strokes, post-operative recovery after major surgery, etc.) were included in the study. Group A comprised 91 patients that did not want to receive any treatment for UI. Group B consisted of 95 elderly females treated for UI with mirabegron 50 mg/daily for three months. All caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Scale (ZBS) questionnaire at the outset and after the three months. All patients completed a bladder diary at the beginning and at the end of the observation/medication period.
Patients receiving mirabegron presented a statistically significant improvement in UI parameters. Their caregivers showed a statistically significant decrease in the ZBS total score as well as separate domains.
This pilot study confirms that mirabegron administration can improve the quality of life of older females suffering from UI while substantially relieving caregiver burden. Recognizing the physical and emotional reactions of caregivers may help health providers deliver better support and resources to meet the needs of caregivers and patients alike.
老年人，尤其是女性，是所有年龄段中尿失禁（UI）患病率最高的人群。持续为老年失禁女性提供护理是一个极其艰巨的过程，但只有极少数研究调查过这个问题。本研究旨在评估米拉贝隆治疗对患有 UI 的老年女性患者护理人员所经历负担程度的影响。
本研究纳入了 186 名患有混合性或急迫性 UI 以及各种疾病（中风、重大手术后恢复等）的老年女性的护理人员。A 组包括 91 名不想接受任何 UI 治疗的患者。B 组由 95 名接受米拉贝隆 50mg/天治疗三个月的老年女性组成。所有护理人员在研究开始时和三个月后都填写了 Zarit 负担量表（ZBS）问卷。所有患者在观察/用药期开始和结束时都填写了膀胱日记。
接受米拉贝隆治疗的患者在 UI 参数方面有显著改善。他们的护理人员在 ZBS 总分以及各个领域的得分都有显著下降。
这项初步研究证实，米拉贝隆的使用可以提高患有 UI 的老年女性的生活质量，同时大大减轻护理人员的负担。认识到护理人员的身体和情绪反应可以帮助医疗服务提供者提供更好的支持和资源，以满足护理人员和患者的需求。
