PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH URINARY INCONTINENCE IN ELDERLY WOMEN

Objective: To verify the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) complaints and associated factors among elderly women in the municipality of Petrolina / PE. Methods: Exploratory cross-sectional study conducted in 2009 with 172 elderly women who were assessed regarding sociodemographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics. UI was assessed using The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF) in addition to questions on obstetrics and comorbidities. Data were computed with a 95% confidence interval using STATA 9.0. Results: The urinary incontinence was present in 81 (47.1%) elderly women. The age group older than 75 years was associated with UI (PR 1.57 CI 95% 1.57 - 11.09). Regarding the association with occupation, it was verified that both the retired elders (PR 4.64 CI 95% 0.98 - 21.98) and housewives (PR 6.25 CI 95% 1.14 - 34.12) were more likely to report UI, but only the association with the housewife condition was significant. With regard to diabetes, elderly women who had the disease (PR 1.57 CI 95% 1.16 - 2.13) were more likely to report urinary incontinence when compared to elderly women without diabetes. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of urinary incontinence among elderly women, which accounted for almost half of the women assessed and was associated with older age, housewives and diabetes. Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência da queixa de Incontinência Urinária (IU) e os fatores associados em idosas no município de Petrolina/PE. Métodos:Estudo transversal e exploratório realizado em 2009 com 172 idosas nas quais se avaliaram características sociodemográficas, socioeconômicas e estilo de vida. Para investigar a IU utilizou-se o International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form" (ICIQ-SF) acrescido de questões obstétricas e de comorbidades. Dados trabalhados com intervalo de confiança a 95% utilizando o STATA® 9.0.Resultados:A queixa de IU esteve presente em 81 (47,1%) idosas. A faixa etária maior que 75 anos de idade estava associada à IU (RP 1,57 IC95% 1,57-11,09). Na associação com ocupação notou-se que tanto as idosas aposentadas (RP 4,64 IC95% 0,98-21,98) quanto as donas de casa (RP 6,25 IC95% 1,14-34,12) tinham maior ocorrência de referir IU, mas apenas a associação com a condição dona de casa foi significante. Quanto ao diabetes, idosas que tinham a doença (RP 1,57 IC95% 1,16-2,13) tinham maior frequência de referir queixa de IU quando comparadas às idosas sem diabetes.C