BERKELEY, CA (UroToday.com) - Urinary incontinence[1] and heart failure (HF)[2] are both common health conditions worldwide, with significant consequences for the individuals, their families, and the health care system.[1, 3] As alluded to in the abstract, frequency of urinary incontinence in this group of people with HF appears high.[4] However, the effects of education on frequency and severity of incontinence in people with HF remains largely unknown.[5]
The main aim of this follow-up study was to determine the effects of education on frequency and severity of urinary incontinence in people with HF. Secondary aims were to determine if quality of life and medication adherence improved after receiving education materials.
Written continence education materials -- including pelvic floor exercises and good bladder and bowel habits -- as well as face-to-face access to a specialist continence nurse were offered to people with HF. Eighty-nine participants were resurveyed after receiving the education materials. Tools included Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form and Medication Adherence Report Scale.
Forty-seven surveys were returned following the provision of the educational materials, 28% were female, average (SD) age was 71 (12) years. Non-responders were older, 73 (SD 15) years. Frequency of incontinence prior to receiving the educational materials was 49%, increasing to 61% after (p=0.003). For those people who were continent prior to receiving the educational materials, 8 reported they were now incontinent, and, conversely, 5 respondents who were incontinent now reported they were continent. There were no differences in severity of incontinence, quality of life, and medication adherence after receiving the education (p>0.05).
Frequency of urinary incontinence in this group of people with HF remained high after receiving continence education. The reasons for this increase are not clear. This may be due to increased awareness, changes to disease severity, and/or medication or other factors. This requires further investigation. Aggressive continence management may be necessary.
References:
- Nitti VW. The prevalence of urinary incontinence. Rev Urol. 2001;3 Suppl 1:S2-6.
- Levy D, Kenchaiah S, Larson MG, Benjamin EJ, Kupka MJ, Ho KKL, et al. Long-term trends in the incidence of and survival with heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2002;347:1397-402.
- Davidson P, Stewart S, Elliott D, Daly J, Sindone A, Cockburn J. Addressing the burden of heart failure in Australia: the scope for home-based interventions. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2001;16:56-68.
- Hwang R, Chuan F, Peters R & Kuys S. Frequency of urinary incontinence in people with chronic heart failure. Heart & Lung. 2013; 42(1): 26-31.
- Hwang R, Chang T, Krumins A, Chuan F, Peters R, Marsh C, & Kuys S. Effects of Education on Urinary Incontinence in People with Chronic Heart Failure. Heart, Lung and Circulation. 2012; 21: S79-S80.
Written by:
Rita Hwang, MHSc (Cardiopulm Phty), BPhty (Hons) as part of Beyond the Abstract on UroToday.com. This initiative offers a method of publishing for the professional urology community. Authors are given an opportunity to expand on the circumstances, limitations etc... of their research by referencing the published abstract.
Department of Physiotherapy
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba
Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
Frequency of urinary incontinence in people with chronic heart failure - Abstract
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