Prevalence of urinary incontinence in Korean women:an epidemiologic survey

• DOI: 10.1007/s00192-007-0322-z
• Publication Date: 2007-02-14T16:26:45Z
• Authors: Myung-Soo Choo; Ja Hyeon Ku; Seung-June Oh; Kyu-Sung Lee; Jae-Seung Paick; Ju Tae Seo; Duk Yoon Kim; Jeong Ju Lee; Jeong Gu Lee; Yong Gil Na; Dong Deuk Kwon; Won-Hee Park
• Keywords: Adult; Korea; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Age Distribution; Urinary Incontinence; 0302 clinical medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Humans; Female; Aged

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a Korean national community sample of female adults aged 30-79 years. During April 2003, a national Korea telephone survey using quota sampling methods was conducted. The clinically validated computer-assisted telephone interview approach was used in the survey. Of the 1,500 subjects contacted, 1,303 were successfully interviewed (response rate 86.9%). Overall, UI was reported by 40.8%, and 22.9, 3.1, and 14.9% reported pure stress, urge, and mixed UI, respectively. The prevalence of stress, urge, and mixed UI generally did not increase with age. Urge and mixed UI had a greater impact than stress UI on daily tasks (P < 0.001), social life (P < 0.001), depression or anxiety due to UI (P < 0.001), worry about UI (P < 0.001), sex life (P < 0.001), wear protection due to UI (P = 0.011), and quality of life (P < 0.001). In subjects with pure stress UI, 28.3% reported impaired quality of life compared with 43.9% and 43.8% of subjects with urge and mixed UI. Of those individuals with stress, urge, and mixed UI, 19.1, 20.0, and 25.8% had the willingness to seek medical consultation. This study is the first to examine the prevalence of UI in Korean women. The present study revealed that there was a high prevalence of UI in this population. Our descriptive research provides a valuable insight into the need for tailored education to this population about UI.