Urinary incontinence in women with asthma Noreen M. Clark, Molly X.

Gong, University of Michigan

Jimmy Yu, Xihong Lin, School of Public Health
Melissa A. Valerio, William Bria,
and Timothy Johnson Supported by:
NHLBI Lung Division Grant HL60884

Table 1 - Demographic and Other Factors Table 4 - Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, & Social Support
Abstract Methods 2GGV5DWLR SYDOXH
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Urinary incontinence is a common problem and notably under- Data Collection
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reported. This study aimed to examine factors associated with Patients’ telephone interview includes: 6HOIHVWHHP  
urinary incontinence in women with asthma. Data were collected by 1RWZRUNLQJIRU  
• Asthma symptoms 6RFLDOVXSSRUW  
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telephone interview from 439 women whose average age was 51 • Health care utilization 4XDOLW\RIOLIH  
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(ST=8.0). 54% of the women (n=235) reported that they experienced • Demographics SUHJQDQW
urinary incontinence in the past 12 months. Results from descriptive • Gender related management behaviors
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statistics and Univariate logistic or Poisson regression models • Physical and psychosocial factors 4XDOLW\RI/LIH6HOI(VWHHP 6RFLDO
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showed that urinary incontinence was significantly associated with • Quality of life 6XSSRUW
older age (55.5 vs. 47.8, p=.0001), not working for pay (OR=1.75, 2YHUDOODYHUDJHVFRUHV
Table 2 - Asthma Symptoms
p=.004), history of heavy smoking (OR=2.27, p=.0003), ever been  
pregnant (OR=2.50, p=.0001), and higher body mass index Data Analysis 5HODWLYH5LVN SYDOXH


(BMI: 31.4 vs. 27.3, p=.0001), while it was not related to education, A dichotomous variable (1= yes to incontinence, 0=no) was
  
income, marital status, and exercise habits. Women with urinary created to explore the factors associated with urinary 'D\WLPH   
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incontinence 1R
incontinence reported more days (58 vs. 44) and nights (32 vs. 22, 1LJKWWLPH     
p=.05) with asthma symptoms, and more frequent health care )URPXQLYDULDWH 3RLVVRQUHJUHVVLRQPRGHOV 

utilization than those without incontinence. The relative risk (RR) Univariate logistic, Poisson regression models & t-tests were 
conducted producing Odds Ratio (OR) or Relative Risk (RR) $VWKPD6\PSWRPV 4XDOLW\RI/LIH 6HOI(VWHHP 6RFLDO6XSSRUW
was 1.57 (p=.02) for asthma hospitalizations, 1.46 for unscheduled S S S 
office visits (p=.0001), 1.19 for visits to follow up an episode of and p-values. WWHVWV
 
asthma (p=.05). Urinary incontinence was found to be significantly 
 
associated with low level of overall quality of life (OR=1.03, p=.002),
self-esteem (OR=1.04, p=.03), and social support (OR=1.03, p=.08). Findings   <HV Conclusions
  1R
 • Over half of the women with asthma reported a problem
Background Prevalence
Of the 439 women with asthma, 54.4% reported that they


with urinary incontinence during the past 12 months.

Purpose experienced a problem with urinary incontinence in the past 12 'D\WLPH 1LJKWWLPH • Urinary incontinence was significantly associated with
Urinary incontinence is a common problem and notably under re- months. S S  older age, not working for pay, ever been pregnant,
ported especially in women with respiratory diseases (Brown, et al., history of smoking, and a higher body mass index.
Table 3 - Health Care Utilization
1996). The purpose of the study is to examine the factors associ- ([SHULHQFHGXULQDU\LQFRQWLQHQFH • Women with urinary incontinence reported more days of
ated with urinary incontinence in women with asthma. SUREOHPLQSDVWPRQWKV 5HODWLYH5LVN SYDOXH daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms and more
Brown JS, Seeley DG, Fong J, Black DM, et al., Urinary incontinence in older women: who is at risk? Study of Osteoporotic Fractures
Research Group. Obstet Gynecol. 1996; 87: 715-721. hospitalizations and clinic visits compared with women
+RVSLWDOL]DWLRQV   who did not report the problem.
Sample & Demographics <HV 8QVFKHGXOHG  
Over 400 women aged 18 and older with a physician diagnosis have 1R RIILFHYLVLWV • Urinary incontinence was significantly associated with
been recruited for participation.  lower self-esteem, social support, and overall quality of
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Age: 8% between the ages of 18 - 30  life in women with asthma.
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9% over 71 years of age YLVLWVWRIROORZ
Race/Ethnicity: 85% Caucasian/white • The impact of urinary incontinence in women with asthma
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Household Income: 4% less than $10,000 DVWKPD
and its implications in disease management requires
17% over $100,000 )URPXQLYDULDWH 3RLVVRQUHJUHVVLRQPRGHOV
further exploration.
Education: 51% with 4 yr. college or more
26% HS graduate