Prevalence of urinary incontinence among elite athletes of both sexes

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) among elite athletes and to compare prevalences between sexes and across different sports modalities.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in 754 elite athletes (455 women or girls and 299 men or boys). Participants completed a questionnaire to collect self-reported anthropometric measures, medical history and sport-related data, and the questionnaires International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-UI Short-Form (ICQ-UI SF), Three Incontinence Questions (3IQ) and Incontinence Severity Index (ISI).

Results: According to replies to the ICQ-UI SF questionnaire, 33% of the athletes had UI at a mean age of 23.75±7.74 years. Prevalences were 45.1% in female compared to 14.7% male athletes (p<0.001) such that females were 5.45 times more likely to suffer this condition. In 59.9%, incontinence was stress UI. In 30.9%, UI was described as moderate to severe (according to ISI), and quality of life related to UI was scored 4.35±2.98 out of 10 (ICQ-UI SF). 22.7% reported they had experienced urine leakage while training; in 40.5% this occurred when jumping, in 19.6% while running and in 20.2% in different situations.

Conclusions: The prevalence of UI observed in elite athletes was 33%. This prevalence was greater in females and also varied according to the sport practised.

Keywords: Athletes; Prevalence; Quality of life; Sport; Urinary incontinence.