Sociodemographic and Health Indicators of Older Women with Urinary Incontinence: 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities

Objectives To describe the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and urinary incontinence ( UI ) in older women (≥65) living in residential care facilities ( RCF s). Design Cross‐sectional, retrospective survey of a population‐based sample, the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities ( NSRCF ). Setting United States. Participants Participants in the 2010 NSRCF (N = 8,094). Measurements Sociodemographic and health indicators associated with UI . Results Data from 4,930 women were available for analysis, 44.6% of whom had UI . Statistically significant differences were found between the samples of continent women and incontinent women in marital status ( P  = .001), educational level ( P  = .04), and length of stay ( P  = .03). Significant differences were also found between continent and incontinent women in activity of daily living ( ADL ) scores ( P  < .001), overall health status ( P  < .001), and comorbidities ( P  < .001). The strongest association was severe impairment in ADL s (adjusted odds ratio ( OR ) = 21.59, 95% confidence interval ( CI ) = 16.07–29.01), followed by moderate impairment in ADL s ( OR  = 3.41, 95% CI  = 2.61–4.44). Conclusion UI is highly prevalent in older women residing in RCF s and is associated with severe impairment in ADL s. A comprehensive assessment including physical function status or early detection in physically functional impairment in RCF s is suggested to prevent or delay onset of or improve existing UI .