Basic Assessment of Urinary Incontinence
Basic Assessment of Urinary Incontinence
Incontinence is a common problem worldwide, with perhaps 200 million or more sufferers around the globe and a prevalence of 15% to 30% in the United States. In the past decade, great advances have been made in understanding the causes of urinary incontinence and in the the ability to diagnose and treat it. This is of limited usefulness, however, if the majority of sufferers remain too embarrassed to seek professional help, or if those who provide primary care service are unaware of the need for active detection of incontinence and of recent advances in the field. Failure to treat patients or to refer them for investigation and treatment, therefore, can occur.
Regardless of age, sex, race, functional status, cognition, or institutionalization, urinary incontinence is never normal. Although incontinence is not life-threatening, it predisposes the person to perineal rashes, pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, falls, and bone fractures. It is associated with embarrassment, stigmatization, isolation, depression, loss of patient morale and dignity, and risk of unnecessary institutionalization, as well as caregiver burden.
Incontinence is a common problem worldwide, with perhaps 200 million or more sufferers around the globe and a prevalence of 15% to 30% in the United States. In the past decade, great advances have been made in understanding the causes of urinary incontinence and in the the ability to diagnose and treat it. This is of limited usefulness, however, if the majority of sufferers remain too embarrassed to seek professional help, or if those who provide primary care service are unaware of the need for active detection of incontinence and of recent advances in the field. Failure to treat patients or to refer them for investigation and treatment, therefore, can occur.
Regardless of age, sex, race, functional status, cognition, or institutionalization, urinary incontinence is never normal. Although incontinence is not life-threatening, it predisposes the person to perineal rashes, pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, falls, and bone fractures. It is associated with embarrassment, stigmatization, isolation, depression, loss of patient morale and dignity, and risk of unnecessary institutionalization, as well as caregiver burden.
