The Effect of Incontinence Severity on Symptom Distress, Quality of Life, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function in Turkish Women with Urinary Incontinence

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the differences in symptom distress, quality of life, and pelvic floor muscle function among Turkish women with mild, moderate, or severe urinary incontinence.Study design: One hundred and twenty women with a diagnosis of urinary incontinence (54.2% stress urinary incontinence and 45.8% mixed-urinary incontinence) participated in the present study. The severity of the urinary incontinence was stratified by the Incontinence Severity Index. The Turkish versions of the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 were used to assess symptom distress and quality of life, respectively. Pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance were measured using a non-invasive vaginal perineometer.Results: Symptom distress and quality of life significantly differed among the mild, moderate, and severe urinary incontinence groups (p