OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of urinary tract atrophy and related factors to urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women in the urban area of Beijing.

METHODSSubjects were selected from 4 central districts in Beijing with a multiple-stage randomly sampling procedure. A total of 1,257 postmenopausal women aged 60 years or over received interviews on lower urinary tract symptoms and physical examinations. The prevalences of different urinary tract symptoms were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to find the related factors of urinary incontinence.

RESULTSThe prevalence of urinary incontinence of postmenopausal women was 61.0%. Stress urinary incontinence had the highest prevalence (64.5%). While the prevalence of nocturia was 66.8%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that stress urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women was associated with the following factors: obesity, long education years, long-time standing, and low ability of bending or squatting. High grip strength might reduce the risk of urinary stress incontinence. Urge incontinence was associated with obesity, while higher education and high grip strength might reduce the risk of urge incontinence.

CONCLUSIONSIncontinence is very common in postmenopausal women. The prevalence in this study is even higher than that in other reports. Obesity and muscle strength are related to the prevalence of urinary incontinence in subjects over 60 in Beijing.