Urinary Incontinence and Risk of Death among Community-Living Elderly People

Abstract

Objectives:The authors explored whether urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with higher mortality and, if so, whether adjustment for demographics, health, and functional status diminishes the association. Methods:The Cox proportional hazards model was used with a nationally representative sample of community-living elderly people ( N= 3,485). Results:In an analysis adjusted for age, gender, education, and probability sampling design, participants with mild to moderate UI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.08) and severe UI (HR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.03-2.29) experienced a higher risk of death. Adjustment for health and functional status diminished the association of UI and risk of death (mild to moderate UI, HR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.85-1.68; severe UI, HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.59-1.39). Discussion:The relationship between UI and mortality in older adults can largely be understood on the basis of increased frailty in incontinent individuals.