E-Posters-Prevalence and Risk Factors for Urinary Incontinence in mid-life Singaporean Women: Results from the Integrated Women's Health Programme (IWHP) - Kai Lyn Ng, MBBS (Spore), MRCOG (UK), MMed

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Urinary Incontinence in mid-life Singaporean Women: Results from the Integrated Women's Health Programme (IWHP) - Kai Lyn Ng, MBBS (Spore), MRCOG (UK), MMed

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Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition that affects more than half of mid-life women and can have a negative impact on their quality of life. However, there is limited research on the prevalence of different types of UI and their risk factors in healthy mid-life Asian women. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of different types of UI and identify independent risk factors, with a focus on modifiable factors that could help develop preventive and therapeutic interventions.<br /><br />The study analyzed data from the Integrated Women's Health Programme (IWHP), a prospective cohort study conducted from 2014-2016 in Singapore. The study included 2191 mid-life women, of which 54.8% agreed to participate. The prevalence of UI was 52.3%, with the most common subtypes being mixed UI (20.2%) and stress UI alone (20.1%). Post-menopausal status, education level, parity, and obesity were identified as independent risk factors for UI.<br /><br />The study found that post-menopausal status was associated with a lower prevalence of stress UI but a higher prevalence of urge UI. Higher education level was negatively associated with urge UI but positively associated with mixed UI. Malay and Indian women had a higher prevalence of mixed UI compared to Chinese women. Higher parity was positively associated with stress UI but negatively associated with urge UI. Obesity was positively associated with mixed UI and leakage (drops) only.<br /><br />The findings of this study are important as they shed light on risk factors for UI in mid-life Asian women, which have been understudied in multi-ethnic populations. The study highlights the need for healthcare practitioners to be aware of the high prevalence of UI in these women and to actively screen for it. The recognition of risk factors can help identify and counsel women at increased risk of UI and guide preventive interventions. Specifically, attention should be given to optimizing BMI in Malay and Indian females through public health campaigns and interventions.<br /><br />In conclusion, this study found a high prevalence of UI in mid-life Singaporean women and identified several independent risk factors. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding these risk factors and their implications for developing interventions to address and prevent UI in this population.

Keywords

Urinary incontinence

mid-life women

prevalence

risk factors

Asian women

preventive interventions

cohort study

subtypes

obesity