Incidence of Urinary Incontinence in OAs With Diabetes

The natural process of aging contributes to the incidence of urinary incontinence (UI), but diabetes diagnosis has specifically been tied to UI incidence as well.

Presenters of a study at the American Diabetes Association 2018 Scientific Sessions during the Saturday poster session sought to assess UI and related factors in older adults with diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included 322 patients aged ≥ 60 years with diabetes who were admitted to the National Geriatric Hospital from December 2016 to December 2017.

The 3 Incontinence Questions (3IQ) was used to identify the prevalence of UI and its classification. Information on sociodemography, medical history, glycemic control (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] and HbA1c), comorbidities (Charlson index), polypharmacy, and cognitive impairment were assessed to investigate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and UI. The age of study participants ranged between 60 and 96 years old (average age: 74.8 ± 8.28 years).

The prevalence of UI among patients with diabetes was 65.2%. The prevalence of urge, stress, overflow, and mixed incontinence were 36.7%, 36.2%, 17.6% and 9.5%, respectively. Advanced age and overweight status were associated with UI (P < .05). The levels of FPG and HbA1c among the incontinent diabetic patients were significantly higher than those in continent diabetic patients (P < .05).

Multiple logistic regressions revealed risk factors for UI including: age > 70 years old (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.7, P < .05); history of pelvic surgery (OR:4.5, 95% CI: 1.6-12.8, P < .05); long duration of diabetes (OR:2.8, 95% CI:1.6-4.9, P < .001); Charlson index (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.7-4.3, P < .001); polypharmacy (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4-5.7, P < .05); cognitive impairment (OR:40.5, 95% CI: 5.0-329.9, P = .001).

Results show that advanced age, long duration of diabetes, the level of FPG and HbA1c, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and cognitive impairment were associated with increased risk of UI in older adults with diabetes.

—Amanda Del Signore

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