The Prevalence and Management of Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Patients at Sanatorium in Busan Area

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Prevalence estimates and management methods for urinary incontinence among elderly patients aged 65 and over at sanatoriums in Busan area were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 834 institutionalized patients was randomly selected from 13 sanatoriums with 100 and more beds in Busan. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using Appendix about general status, obstetric history, incontinence, and management method for incontinence. The survey was conducted from February to September 2008. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of urinary incontinence in all of 834 respondents was found to be 48.1% prevalences of stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, and functional incontinence were 25.7%, 6.5%, 8.0% and 59.9%, respectively. Among the patients with urinary incontinence symptoms, 28.6% had associated-dermatologic problems. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated prevalence of incontinence for elderly patients aged 65 and more cared at Sanatoriums in Busan area was 48.1%. However, systemic approaches in the management of urinary incontinence in such patients were lacking. Further efforts should be made for proper management of urinary incontinence among elderly patients cared at Sanatorium.