Review Article
Stress Urinary Incontinence in Active Elderly Women
Abstract
Urinary incontinence in the elderly is a significant health problem fraught with isolation, depression, and an increased risk of institutionalization and medical complications. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the complaint of involuntary loss of urine during effort or exertion or during sneezing or coughing, is the most common type of urinary incontinence. SUI can seriously degrade the quality of life for many active seniors, and has become an economic challenge for society. With the rapid increase in the active elderly worldwide, SUI is becoming a significant global problem. However, since only a fraction of women with SUI have consulted a physician, the clinical extent and public health impact of SUI are probably underestimated. The mounting social, medical, and economic problem of SUI in active elderly women as a rapidly growing segment of the population worldwide is reviewed. We evaluate the age-related changes of the lower urinary tract, examine risk factors, and suggest different treatment options shown to be effective in reducing SUI in this population.
Key Points
* Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among the active elderly is a medical, social, and economic problem worldwide, but despite the refinement in diagnoses and treatment options, many elderly women do not seek treatment.
* Stress urinary incontinence is usually influenced by several contributing factors and best responds to treatment of multiple aspects.
* Recent advances in understanding how the central nervous system controls lower urinary tract function have opened new avenues for treatment of SUI.
* With greater education, refinements in diagnosis, and new treatment options available, continence and greater independence in living may be achieved in the many active elderly patients with SUI.
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