Urinary Incontinence Risk Linked to Physical Activity

Eur Urol. 2007;52:868-875

Higher levels of physical activity are independently related to a lower self-reported prevalence of urinary incontinence in a community-dwelling population aged 70 years and older, a Japanese study recently showed.

The findings, based on a crosssectional survey of 676 men and women, suggest that physical activity may have a potentially bene-ficial effect on prevention of urinary incontinence.

A self-reported questionnaire estimated different levels of physical activity for each subject. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was estimated using the self-administered International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 25% (34% in women and 16% in men). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, subjects who reported middle and high levels of physical activity were 29% and 42% less likely to report urinary incontinence.

From the September 01, 2007 Issue of Renal and Urology News