Tennstedt SL, Fitzgerald MP, Nager CW, Xu Y, Zimmern P, Kraus S, Goode PS, Kusek JW, Borello-France D, Mallett V, Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network. Quality of life in women with stress urinary incontinence. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2007 May;18(5):543-9. Epub 2006 Oct 12.
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) in 655 women with stress urinary incontinence who elected surgical treatment. The following factors were examined for their association with QoL as measured with the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ): number of incontinence (UI) episodes/day; self-reported type of UI symptoms (stress and urge); sexual function as measured by the Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire; symptom bother as measured by the Urogenital Distress Inventory; as well as other clinical and sociodemographic factors. A stepwise least-squares regression analysis was used to identify factors significantly associated with QoL. Lower QoL was related to the greater frequency of stress UI symptoms, increasing severity, greater symptom bother, prior UI surgery or treatment, and sexual dysfunction (if sexually active). Health and sociodemographic factors associated with lower incontinence-related QoL included current tobacco use, younger age, lower socioeconomic status, and Hispanic ethnicity.