Mohammed Ghada, Mousa Noha A, Alhaj Shaikha S, Saddik Basema
Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Department of Family and Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2025 May 12;6(1):546-555. doi: 10.1089/whr.2025.0004. eCollection 2025.
Urinary incontinence (UI) and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are well documented in older, multiparous women, with established risk factors such as menopause, neurological disorders, and diabetes mellitus. However, emerging evidence indicates that young, nulligravid women without these traditional risk factors may also be affected. This study explores the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of UI and LUTS in this population.
A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire adapted from the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and the Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life. Participants were women aged 18-25 years who had never been pregnant.
Approximately one-third of participants reported experiencing UI (urge, stress, or mixed incontinence), whereas 45.9% reported at least one LUTS without UI. Significant associations were identified between UI and increased body mass index ( = 0.007), smoking ( = 0.018), and recurrent urinary tract infection ( = 0.004). Toilet behaviors, such as delaying urination until bladder fullness, were also significantly associated with UI. Logistic regression analysis identified key predictive risk factors for UI: being overweight or obese (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, confidence interval [CI] = 1.22-2.90), smoking (OR = 3.07, CI = 1.32-7.12), and delaying bladder emptying (OR = 2.99, CI = 1.63-5.47). Women with UI self-reported significant bother from symptoms, particularly those with overactive bladder (urge incontinence: 72.3%, urinary urgency: 53.6%, and nocturia: 55.4%). Quality of life was notably impacted, with 28.3% of participants with urge incontinence requiring daily pad use. Despite this, the majority (85.1%) did not seek medical care.
UI and LUTS are prevalent in young nulligravid women, with modifiable risk factors such as lifestyle habits and toilet behaviors playing a critical role. These findings highlight the need for community awareness programs and proactive patient education during clinical encounters, as affected women are unlikely to seek medical advice voluntarily.
尿失禁（UI）及相关下尿路症状（LUTS）在老年经产妇中已有充分记录，存在绝经、神经疾病和糖尿病等既定风险因素。然而，新出现的证据表明，没有这些传统风险因素的年轻未孕女性也可能受到影响。本研究探讨了该人群中尿失禁和下尿路症状的患病率、风险因素及影响。
采用一项横断面研究，使用了一份改编自国际尿失禁咨询委员会女性下尿路症状问卷和下尿路症状生活质量问卷的匿名在线问卷。参与者为年龄在18至25岁之间且从未怀孕的女性。
约三分之一的参与者报告有尿失禁经历（急迫性、压力性或混合性尿失禁），而45.9%的参与者报告至少有一种下尿路症状但无尿失禁。尿失禁与体重指数增加（P = 0.007）、吸烟（P = 0.018）和复发性尿路感染（P = 0.004）之间存在显著关联。诸如延迟排尿直到膀胱胀满等排尿行为也与尿失禁显著相关。逻辑回归分析确定了尿失禁的关键预测风险因素：超重或肥胖（比值比[OR]=1.88；置信区间[CI]=1.22 - 2.90）、吸烟（OR = 3.07，CI = 1.32 - 7.12）以及延迟膀胱排空（OR = 2.99；CI = 1.63 - 5.47）。有尿失禁的女性自我报告症状带来了明显困扰，尤其是那些患有膀胱过度活动症的女性（急迫性尿失禁：72.3%，尿急：53.6%，夜尿症：55.4%）。生活质量受到显著影响，28.3%的急迫性尿失禁参与者需要每天使用护垫。尽管如此，大多数（85.1%）并未寻求医疗护理。
尿失禁和下尿路症状在年轻未孕女性中普遍存在，生活方式习惯和排尿行为等可改变的风险因素起着关键作用。这些发现凸显了开展社区宣传项目以及在临床问诊期间积极开展患者教育的必要性；因为受影响女性不太可能主动寻求医疗建议。
