Factors associated with urinary incontinence in a community sample of young nulligravid women

• Published in: Neurourology and urodynamics 2020-06, Vol.39 (5), p.1430-1436
• Main Authors: Kowalik, Casey G., Daily, Adam, Goodridge, Sophia D., Hartigan, Siobhan M., Kaufman, Melissa R., Fowke, Jay H., Dmochowski, Roger R., Reynolds, William S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fecal incontinence; Fecal Incontinence - complications; Fecal Incontinence - epidemiology; Female; Gravidity; Humans; Intestine; lower urinary tract symptoms; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - complications; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - epidemiology; Multiple sclerosis; Neurogenic Bowel - complications; Neurogenic Bowel - epidemiology; Neurological diseases; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Registries; Risk Factors; Spinal cord injuries; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urinary incontinence; Urinary Incontinence - epidemiology; Urinary tract; Urination; women; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0733-2467; 1520-6777
• DOI: 10.1002/nau.24368

Aims The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with urinary incontinence (UI) in a community sample of young nulligravid women. Methods This was a secondary analysis from a cross‐sectional survey‐based study of cisgender women aged 18 to 25 years recruited through a national registry of research volunteers. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing toileting behaviors, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and bowel symptoms. Women were excluded from analysis if currently pregnant, any prior pregnancy, cystectomy, or any neurologic disease including spinal cord injury, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Analyses determined the prevalence of symptoms and evaluated candidate risk factors for UI. Results Final analyses included 964 women (mean age, 22.6 ± 2.0). Monthly UI was identified in 295 (30.6%) subjects, with mixed UI being the most common (56.9%; n = 168). Seventy‐two women (7.4%) reported fecal incontinence (FI) and 24 (3.5%) women reported both UI and FI. After multivariable regression modeling, UI was associated with an intermittent urine stream and the delayed voiding toileting behavior subscale. Conclusions UI in this cohort of young nulliparous women was highly prevalent and warrants further study as to the cause. Therapeutic guidelines to prevent UI and LUTS may need to be adjusted by targeting populations earlier than traditionally considered.