Urinary Incontinence and Quality of Life in Women With Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is recognized as a common complication in women with CF. The primary objective of this study was to verify the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and its associations with quality of life (QoL) in adult women with CF. The secondary objective was to identify possible associations of UI with cough score, nutritional parameters, and pulmonary function. This cross-sectional study included female patients aged 18 years and older. All patients answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, the Kings Health Questionnaire, and the Leicester Cough Questionnaire. Nutritional assessment was obtained. Sputum bacteriology and lung function were also performed. Fifty-two women were included, with mean age of 29.0±9.7 years and mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 50.1±21.7% of predicted. Thirty-two patients (61.5%) presented symptoms of UI, 23 (44.2%) of stress UI and 9 (17.3%) of mixed UI. However, there was no significant association between UI and pulmonary function, sputum bacteriology, and cough score (p>0.05). There was a significant association between UI and QoL variables (p<0.05). This study identified a prevalence of 61.5% of UI in women with CF. The presence of UI in women with CF resulted in a negative impact on QoL.