Incidence and remission of stress, urge, and mixed urinary incontinence in midlife and older women: A longitudinal cohort study

Aims To analyze factors related to the incidence and remission of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) among women at midlife. Methods A total of 2115 women participants in a prospective longitudinal survey (GAZEL cohort) were included. In 2000 and 2008, a specific questionnaire about urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms was sent to all participants. Incidence, remission, and risk factors associated with each type of UI were considered. Results Within our population followed up for 8 years, we observed an overall incidence rate of UI of 21.9% (95% CI, 19.6-24.2%) and a remission rate of 33.3% (30.1-36.5%). For the different UI types, the incidence and remission rates were respectively 14.9% (12.9-24.2%) and 37.9% (37.8-42.0%) for SUI, 3.2% (2.2-4.2%) and 25.5% (3.5-37.5%) for UUI, 3.1% (2.1-4.1%) and 24.6% (19.3-29.9%) for MUI. Educational level, increase in body mass index (BMI), BMI and depression at inclusion were associated with SUI incidence. The history of surgery for UI was associated with the incidence of UUI and MUI. Surgery for SUI was significantly associated with remission, while pelvic floor rehabilitation and vaginal delivery were significantly associated with a lower SUI remission. Vaginal delivery was also negatively associated with MUI remission. Conclusions The influence of the standard risk factors seems to differ in each type of UI.