Psychology Faculty Work

Title

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Urinary Incontinence in Overweight and Obese Diabetic Women

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

Publication Title

Diabetes Care

Volume Number

32

Issue Number

8

DOI

10.2337/dc09-0516

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and risk factors for urinary incontinence among different racial/ethnic groups of overweight and obese women with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) study, a randomized clinical trial with 2,994 overweight/obese women with type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS Weekly incontinence (27%) was reported more often than other diabetes-associated complications, including retinopathy (7.5%), microalbuminuria (2.2%), and neuropathy (1.5%). The prevalence of weekly incontinence was highest among non-Hispanic whites (32%) and lowest among African Americans (18%), and Asians (12%) (P < 0.001). Asian and African American women had lower odds of weekly incontinence compared with non-Hispanic whites (75 and 55% lower, respectively; P < 0.001). Women with a BMI of ≥35 kg/m2 had a higher odds of overall and stress incontinence (55–85% higher; P < 0.03) compared with that for nonobese women. Risk factors for overall incontinence, as well as for stress and urgency incontinence, included prior hysterectomy (40–80% increased risk; P < 0.01) and urinary tract infection in the prior year (55–90% increased risk; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS Among overweight and obese women with type 2 diabetes, urinary incontinence is highly prevalent and far exceeds the prevalence of other diabetes complications. Racial/ethnic differences in incontinence prevalence are similar to those in women without diabetes, affecting non-Hispanic whites more than Asians and African Americans. Increasing obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m2) was the strongest modifiable risk factor for overall incontinence and stress incontinence in this diverse cohort.

ISSN

0149-5992

First Page

1391

Last Page

1397

Link Out URL

https://doi.org/10.2337/dc09-0516

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