Urinary Incontinence, Overactive Bladder, and Enuresis in the Spanish Population: An Epidemiologic, Multicenter, and National Study

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the growing interest on urinary incontinence (UI), nocturnal enuresis (NE), and overactive bladder (OAB), in Spain, there are no epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of these health problems in the different affected groups of the general population. The objective of the present study was to observe the prevalence of the signs and symptoms of UI, OAB, and NE in specific groups of the general population. Methods: This is an epidemiologic, observational, multicenter, and national study. Data were collected by means of personal interviews in 5 representative areas from Spain and in 4 groups of the population: 1) workingwomen (25 to 64 years old), 2) workingmen (50 to 64 years old), 3) children attending primary school (6 to 11 years old), and 4) elderly, institutionalized subjects (over 65 years old) with no mental impairment. The interview included 2 parts: 1) sociodemographic variables and clinical history, and 2) data about OAB and UI symptoms. The interview addressing children included sociodemographic variables and questions about liquid intake and urine control. Results: The percentage of interview answers in the different groups varied between 79.7% and 98%. The prevalence of isolated OAB and UI in workingwomen (N = 3090) was 2.69% and 4.01%, respectively; in men (N = 1071) prevalence was 3.55% and 0.56%; in the elderly (N = 996) prevalence was 9.14% and 15.16%. In total, 9.94% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.9 to 11.04) of the women under study suffer 1 or both health problems. This percentage was 5.14% (95% CI = 3.89 to 6.63) in men and 53.71% (95% CI = 50.56 to 56.85) in the elderly. The prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children (N = 1279) was 7.82% (95% CI = 6.62 to 9.17). Conclusions: The prevalence of OAB and/or UI in Spain is nearly 10% of women between 25 and 64 years old, is around 5% in men between 50 and 64 years old, and it is over 50% in persons over 65 years. The prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in children between 6 and 11 years is around 8%.