Incidence and epidemiology of urinary incontinence in elderly women

Urinary Incontinence is the involuntary loss of Urine that is objectively demonstrable and a social or hygienic problem. It has been observed that many are silently suffering the problem and not approaching doctor for treatment. UI is under reported and under treated. Hence a prospective study to know the Prevalence rate, Economic burden of urinary incontinence in patients attending our OPD was done. Overall incidence of Incontinence was 24%(432pts). Stress incontinence was the commonest type of incontinence. In Young pts (40yrs) the incidence is 12% and they were without prolapse. Many pts 62% (268) did not seek medical advice due to lack of knowledge, medical facility or monetary reasons. Larger surveys are needed to get a correct picture of the scenario.