Urinary incontinence: Comparison study to identify the type, incidence and risk factors between admitted women and the general population in Al-Kharj city, Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as the involuntary loss of urine. The condition can happen in both genders, but more frequently in women. There are multiple known risk factors for UI. For women, multiparity, previous vaginal deliveries, and menopause are known risk factors for UI. To diagnose UI, three steps should be done, including the patient history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The options management of UI includes conservative, medical, and surgical, a trial of conservative treatment is recommended by all guidelines before medical or invasive surgical therapy. Conservative therapies include behavioral therapy, physical therapy, and timed voiding. AIM: Our aim in this study is to estimate the prevalence of UI in admitted women and the general population and to compare UI between the general population and admitted women in Al-Kharj city. MATERIAL: A quantitative cross-sectional study of 108 women admitted to maternity and children’s hospital and 435 women from the general population of Al Kharj city, Saudi Arabia, between January and March 2021, aged 18+ years. A hard copy questionnaire was distributed to admitted patients at maternity and children’s hospital, and an electronic questionnaire was distributed by social media to the general population. RESULT: The prevalence of UI in the general population was reported by 132 women (30%). Seventy-four out of 132 women have stress UI (56%), 45 women have urge UI (34%), and the remaining 13 women have mixed UI (10%). The prevalence in admitted women was reported by 38 out of 108 women (35%). Twenty-four out of 38 women have stress UI (63%), 10 women have urgency UI (26%), and the remaining four women have mixed UI (11%). CONCLUSION: UI is a common health problem in our society. Risk factors for UI are advanced age, multi parity, chronic disease, and obesity.