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Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Women: Clinical Findings
Author(s) -
Wells Thelma J.,
Brink Carol A.,
Diokno Ananias C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1987.tb02295.x
Subject(s) - medicine , urinary incontinence , stress incontinence , urine , physical examination , pelvic floor , urinary system , vaginitis , physical therapy , surgery , gynecology
Two‐hundred women self‐described as having urinary incontinence, aged 55 to 90 years and living in the community completed a comprehensive history and physical examination. Initial presentation of urine loss was most commonly stress incontinence symptoms (35%). Scoring of peak response to volume lost and frequency revealed urine loss necessitating a clothing change for 78% and daily loss experienced by 73%. Over half had experienced a urine loss problem for more than five years. Most (65%) had sought treatment, but a minority reported current (11%) or previous (36%) treatment. Thirty‐six percent were found to have severe atrophic vaginitis with severe urethocele (10%), cystocele (13%), rectocele (12%) less common. Pelvic floor strength by clinical scoring was weak (mean, 1.05 on a 5‐point scale). The vaginal electromyograph first contraction peak mean was 5.94 micro‐volts sustained at 50% or better for 3.92 seconds. Clinical criteria established that 66% had stress, 27% a mixture of stress and urge, only 4% pure urge incontinence, and 4% other. J Am Geriatr Soc 35:933–939, 1987