Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common geriatric syndrome affecting bladder health and is
especially prevalent in nursing homes (NHs). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence
of UI and its associated factors in five Spanish NHs. UI (measured with Minimum Data Set 3.0),
sociodemographic, and health-related variables ...»»»»
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common geriatric syndrome affecting bladder health and is
especially prevalent in nursing homes (NHs). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence
of UI and its associated factors in five Spanish NHs. UI (measured with Minimum Data Set 3.0),
sociodemographic, and health-related variables were collected. Chi-square (or Fisher’s) or Student’s
t-test (or Mann Whitney U) for bivariate analysis were used, with Prevalence Ratio (PR) as an
association measure. The prevalence of UI was 66.1% (CI:95%, 53.6–77.2) in incontinent (n = 45, mean
age 84.04, SD = 7.7) and continent (n = 23, mean age 83.00, SD = 7.7) groups. UI was significantly
associated with frailty (PR = 1.84; 95%CI 0.96–3.53), faecal incontinence (PR = 1.65; 95%CI 1.02–2.65),
anxiety (PR = 1.64; 95%CI 1.01–2.66), physical performance (PR = 1.77; 95%CI 1.00–3.11), and cognitive
state (PR = 1.95; 95%CI 1.05–3.60). Statistically significant differences were found between incontinent
and continent NH residents for limitations in activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, quality of
life, sedentary behaviour, and handgrip strength. It can be concluded that two out of three of
the residents experienced UI, and significant associated factors were mainly physical (sedentary
behaviour, frailty, physical performance, ADL limitations, mobility, faecal incontinence, and handgrip
strength) followed by psycho-cognitive factors (cognition, anxiety, and quality of life).^^^^