URINARY-INCONTINENCE AS A RISK FACTOR FOR MORTALITY

Objective: To determine whether mortality is independently associated with urinary incontinence. Design: 6-year prospective study that started in 1983/84. Setting: A Midwestern County. Participants: Probability sample of 1956 community-residing persons 60 years of age and older in 1983/84. Measurements: The independent variables of urinary incontinence, its types and severity, were measured by survey self-report, which was validated with clinical exams. The control variables of age, education, and health status were also self-reported. The dependent variable of death was established during follow-up interviews from reports of previously designated contact persons. Results: Neither incontinence status nor its severity level or types were found to be positively associated with 6-year mortality in logistic regression analyses that adjusted for age, education, and health status. Conclusion: Whereas urinary incontinence can be an embarrassing and socially debilitating condition, it does not itself predict or contribute to mortality.