Urinary incontinence in middle-aged and older Korean women and its impact on quality of life: a cross-sectional study

Purpose There is a distinct lack of studies on the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life in middle-aged and older Korean women, despite numerous clinical observations supporting its negative influence. The association between urinary incontinence and quality of life and subjective health state was investigated with various covariates to identify mediating variables. Methods A nationally representative sample of Korean women aged >= 45 years (n=4020) with data for urinary incontinence, quality of life, health-related items and covariates from the 4th Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA, 2012) were analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Association between urinary incontinence and quality of life and subjective health state adjusted for using sociodemographic factors and health behavior, and regression analysis in adjusted complex sampling design to determine regression coefficients with 95% confidence intervals. Results Prevalence of urinary incontinence in middle-aged and older Korean women was 27.5% (n=1107). The negative relationship between urinary incontinence and quality of life was maintained in full adjustments (sociodemographic factors, health behavior, somatic health, and mental health) with mental health exerting greatest influence on the association between urinary incontinence and quality of life. Moreover, in presence of urinary incontinence symptoms, aggravation of urinary incontinence symptoms held a more negative relationship with quality of life compared to similarly maintained state. Conclusions Urinary incontinence has a negative association with quality of life and subjective health state, and psychological factors which are implicated in old age may be of importance in urinary incontinence patient management.