Incontinence impact, symptom distress and treatment-seeking behavior in women with involuntary urine loss in Southern Taiwan

Urinary incontinence (UI) in women is common worldwide, but is studied more often in the West. This correlational study conducted in southern Taiwan employed two frequently used instruments, which were translated into Chinese. Incontinence impact, symptom distress, and treatment-seeking behavior were studied in 106 women with UI of whom 76 (72%) had not received UI treatment. Incontinence impact (mean=49.75; RANGE=30–120) was significantly correlated (r=0.76, p<0.01) with symptom distress (mean=18.38; RANGE=2–68). Women with high incontinence impact and symptom distress were more likely to seek treatment than those with lower impact and symptom distress.