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Promoting continence in older people

Schlögl, Mathias; Umbehr, Martin H; Habib, Muhammad Hamza; Wagg, Adrian; Gordon, Adam L; Harwood, Rowan

Authors

Mathias Schlögl

Martin H Umbehr

Muhammad Hamza Habib

Adrian Wagg

Adam L Gordon



Abstract

The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) is strongly associated with increasing age. Twenty five percent of women over 80 years of age have clinically significant symptoms in population surveys, but prevalence is as high as 70% in older hospital in-patients and residents of care homes with nursing. UI substantially affects quality of life and well-being, and generates significant economic burden for health and social care. Sadly, UI is considered as taboo by society, leading to isolation, depression and reluctance to seek help. As with all aspects of care of older people, a multi-modal approach to assessment and management is needed. Key to effective management of incontinence is recognition. As a minimum, clinicians should actively ask patients about continence, especially in older adults living with frailty. Careful evaluation and establishment of any underpinning diagnosis and aetiological factors requires comprehensive, multimodal, usually multidisciplinary, assessment. A lack of awareness of the problem and what can be done about it exists in both laypeople and clinicians, this needs correcting. An interdisciplinary approach to research and management must be the way into the future.

Citation

Schlögl, M., Umbehr, M. H., Habib, M. H., Wagg, A., Gordon, A. L., & Harwood, R. (2022). Promoting continence in older people. Age and Ageing, 51(9), Article afac199. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afac199

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 1, 2022
Online Publication Date Sep 12, 2022
Publication Date 2022-09
Deposit Date Aug 12, 2024
Journal Age and Ageing
Print ISSN 0002-0729
Electronic ISSN 1468-2834
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 51
Issue 9
Article Number afac199
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afac199
Keywords Aged, 80 and over, Quality of Life, Urinary Incontinence - diagnosis - epidemiology - therapy, Aged, Inpatients, urinary incontinence, Prevalence, Female, interdisciplinary treatment, older people, comprehensive assessment, Humans
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/11742064
Publisher URL https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/51/9/afac199/6695453