Although urinary incontinence (UI) in hospitalized patients is a frequent health problem, research on the subject is limited.
Purpose: A prospective, descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of UI, care implemented among hospitalized adult patients, and impact of UI on quality of life (QoL) in a large private institution in Brazil.
Methods: All patients admitted during November 2018 who were at least 18 years of age, sufficiently conscious and oriented to answer questions, able to undergo skin inspection, and had the ability to urinate (ie, did not use an indwelling bladder catheter or have a nephrostomy, cystostomy, urostomy, or vesicostomy) were eligible to participate. Data were collected through interviews, physical examinations, chart review, and completion of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICQI-SF), a self-diagnostic, 6-item survey of UI frequency, amount of leakage, and overall impact of UI; answers for items 3 (6 answer options), 4 (4 answer options), and 5 (Likert scale ranging from 0 to 10) were considered individually and summed for a total score ranging from 0 to 21. Data were collected using paper forms and then double-entered and validated in a spreadsheet for statistical analysis. Continuous variables were described as mean/median and standard deviation. Categorical variables were described in absolute numbers and percentages. Pearson's chi-squared test and Fischer's exact test were used to investigate the variable statistical differences. The level of significance was 5%, and the intervals were obtained with 95% confidence. Prevalence was defined as the percentage of people with UI over the study period in all admitted patients.
Results: Of the 858 eligible patients, 114 were incontinent (13.3%), but 61 were unable to answer the research questions, 2 used catheterization, and 9 refused to participate; therefore 42 patients (age 80 [range 77.6-82.3] years, 30 [71.4%] women) completed the study. All patients (100%) were managed using diapers. Twenty-one (21, 50%) were married, 24 (57.1%) were white, and 25 (59.5%) were retired. Sixteen (16, 38.1%) had urine loss several times a day, and 17 (40.5%) had urine loss in large amounts; 10 (23.8%) had incontinence-associated dermatitis. The ICQI-SF item regarding interference of urine loss in daily life had a reported mean of 4.1 ± 4.0, inferring urine loss interfered with life; mean ICQI-SF score was 12.1 ± 5.86, implying UI had a moderate impact on QoL.
Conclusion: The 13.3% prevalence of UI was similar to previous studies. The absence of a protocol for incontinence management was identified. The results suggest additional, larger sample UI prevalence studies need to be conducted.