Objectives:
The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a cohort of nulligravid female students in Ireland. Due to the impact of UI on well-being and physical activity, a secondary aim was to explore any relationship between UI symptoms, perceived quality of life (QoL), and physical activity levels.
Methods:
Nulligravid women, aged between 18-65, from within specific university schools and sports teams were recruited for participation. Participants were excluded from the study if they met any of the following criteria: were male, aged younger than 18 or older than 65 years of age, and women who had been previously pregnant. An online cross-sectional questionnaire was used to collect data anonymously. The questionnaire consisted of four assessment sections: background information/demographics, general health (36-Item Short Form Health Survey, SF-36), physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and UI symptoms and related QoL (King’s Health Questionnaire, KHQ and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire- Short Form).
Results:
128 eligible participants completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of reported UI was 30.5%. Those with UI had significantly lower QoL scores in the SF-36 domains of physical functioning (p=0.010), energy/fatigue (p=0.014), pain (p=0.027), and the KHQ domains of incontinence impact (p<0.000), emotions (p<0.000), sleep/energy (p=0.001), relationships (p<0.000), physical limitations (p<0.000), role limitations (p<0.000), severity measures (p<0.000), and symptoms (p<0.000).
Conclusion:
In previous studies of UI in young, nulligravid women, the prevalence of UI only ranged as high as 12.4% in those under 25 years of age (Bardino et al., 2015). Our result of 30.5% prevalence demonstrates that young, nulligravid, highly active university women are not exempt from the problem of UI and suggests a greater potential public health epidemic than has been conveyed previously.
The presence of UI negatively impacted many physical and emotional health-related areas of these women’s lives, including emotions, relationships, physical functioning, energy and sleep. Since UI has such a significant impact on overall QoL and is associated with other chronic psychological conditions, it poses a public significant health concern. Healthcare professionals should lead the way in improving awareness of nulligravid UI and the treatment and management options available.
References:
Bardino, M., Di Martino, M., Ricci, E. and Parazzini, F. (2015). Frequency and determinants of urinary incontinence in adolescent and young nulliparous women. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 28(6), pp.462-470.
Ethical Approval:
Ethical approval was granted by the UCD Human Research Ethics Committee-Sciences.
