A Cross-sectional Case–control Study of Depression in Incontinent Women

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) presents in over 50% menopausal women affecting their quality of life leading to depression and hence needs addressal and treatment as very few of them seek medical help. AIMS: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of depression, and the correlation of severity of UI with depression in incontinent women versus continent controls. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional case–control study of previously diagnosed 100 incontinent women (Stress/Urgency/Mixed) was done over a period of 3 months. The severity of UI was assessed on Patient Incontinence Severity Assessment (a form of Likert scale) and depression was assessed on a validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 19.0. RESULTS: Most of our cases were 51–60 years, with Urge UI being the most predominant (88%). Hundred percent of our incontinent patients were depressed, with 48% and 45% being severely and moderately severely depressed, respectively. A highly significant correlation was found between the severity of incontinence, amount of leakage, leaking pattern, and depression. CONCLUSION: All of our incontinent patients were depressed, with the severity of depression increasing with the severity of incontinence.