ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and its epidemiological characteristics in rural elderly people and to lay a scientific foundation for formulating the strategies oI prevention and treatment for UI. MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in two townships of Jixian County, Tianjin. People aged 60 years and over were selected with cluster sampling, and the prevalence of UI and its epidemiological characteristics were collected with a standardized structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview. ResultsPrevalence of UI was 33.4% among the people aged 60 years and over in two townships, and it was increased with ageing.The elderly women had a higher prevalence of UI than the elderly man (43.2% vs. 22.8%, P<0.0001). The prevalences of UI in groups of 60-, 65-, 70-, 75-, 80-, 85-95 years old were 28.6%,32.1%,34.1%,35.5%,47.8%and 30.0%, respectively, and increased with ageing (X2for trend=2.19,P=0.029). Mixed UI (MUI) was the most common in different types of UI, and the constitution ratios of stress UI (SUI), urge UI (UUI), MUI and other type of UI were 27.4%, 1.2%, 60.9%,10.5%, respectively. The prevalence of MUI was the highest among the four types of UI in each age group. In all age groups, the prevalences of SUI and UUI were the highest in 60～ age group, and the prevalence of MUI was the highest in 80 ～ 95 age group. ConclusionsPrevalence of UI is high among the elderly people in rural areas of Jixian County, Tianjin.

ObjectiveTo explore the treatment and economic burden of urine incontinence (UI) in the rural elderly,and provide evidences for preventive intervention.MethodsA cluster sampling was carried out in 743 people (aged 60 years and over) from 5 villages dominated by Yanliu and Dafengshang health centers,Jixian County,Tianjin from 2007 to 2008.The information about general state of health,treatment and economic burden of disease were analyzed. Results The prevalence of UI was 33.4％ (248 cases) among the 743 elderly people.Only 12 patients (4.8％) with UI ever visited community health-care service centers or hospitals for diagnosis and treatment,among whom only 1 case visited hospital within 1 year,8 cases during 1 to 5 years,and 3 cases over 5 years.And the method of treatment was all drug therapy.Among 248 cases with UI,there were 227 cases (91.5％) without any treatment,9 cases (3.6％) buying medicines by themselves.The direct cost for treatment of UI was 80-12000 yuan RMB,including 2 cases below 100 yuan RMB,2 cases 100-1000 yuan RMB,7 cases 1001-5000 yuan RMB and 1 case over 10000 yuan RMB. Conclusions Prevalence of UI is high while hospital-visiting rate is very low,and the financial burden of disease is serious,thus intervention measures for UI should be taken for the elderly people in rural areas of Jixian County,Tianjin.

Objective To explore the relationship of chronic diseases and the history of gestation and delivery with urinary incontinence (UI) among elderly people of rural areas, so as to lay a scientific foundation for formulating strategies of prevention and treatment for UI. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in two towns of Jixian county, Tianjin. A total of 743 people aged 60 years and over were selected with cluster sampling, and all information were collected with a standardized structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview. The relationships of chronic diseases and the history of gestation and delivery with UI were analyzed with univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression method. Results Prevalence of UI was 33. 4% among the people aged 60 years and over in two towns of Jixian, and it was higher in females than in males (43. 2% vs. 22.8%, χ~2= 34.70, P<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the chronic respiratory diseases, prostate disease, neurological diseases or motor system diseases were all associated with UI in men, and the elderly men who suffered from prostate disease and neurological diseases had the highest risk of UI (OR=11. 47, OR=11. 76). Constipation, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus and motor system diseases were all associated with UI in women, and the elderly women with chronic respiratory diseases had the highest risk of UI (OR = 4. 84). Elderly women who had more gravidity (OR = 1. 03), more parity (OR= 1.02), perineal laceration (OR = 1.72) and wound infection (OR= 1. 65) during delivery had higher prevalence of UI. Conclusions Prevalence of UI is higher among the elderly people in rural areas of Jixian county, and several chronic diseases and gestation and delivery history in women are all associated with UI in the elderly. For the prevention of UI, the elderly should actively look for treating their chronic diseases and the medical workers should strengthen health education or health care for pregnant women.