Urinary Incontinence Raises Depression Risk in Women

Urinary incontinence (UI) may increase the risk for probable depression and work disability among women, according to a study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology (2014;123:822-827).

Kristin J. Hung, MD, of Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues studied a sample of 4,511 women enrolled in the population-based Health and Retirement Study cohort. The analysis baseline was 1996, the year that questions about UI were added to survey instruments and at which time the women were aged 54-65 years. Participants were followed with biennial interviews until 2010-2011.

At baseline, 727 women reported UI. Results showed that UI was associated with a 43% increased risk of probable depression and a 21% increased risk of work disability.

From the May 01, 2014 Issue of Renal and Urology News