PURPOSE: Urinary incontinence (UI) has substantial and important impacts on quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to identify the associated risk factors of QoL in middle-aged women with UI. METHODS: The participants were 127 women aged 40-64 years who experienced UI. Data were collected from October to November, 2008 using a self-reported questionnaires. The data were analyzed through t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, and multiple linear regression with SPSS ver. 16.0 program. RESULTS: The distribution of UI severity was mild 18.1%, moderate 40.2% and severe 41.7%. In univariate analysis, differences in the score for QoL according to participants' characteristics were statistically significant on the type of delivery, number of births and severity of UI. In multiple linear regression analysis after adjustment of other variables, the most powerful predictor of QoL is severity of UI. Number of births was also significant predictor. These two variables explained 25% of variance in QoL of women with UI. CONCLUSIONS: UI is highly prevalent and causes suffering and impaired QoL among middle-aged women, but it stands beyond our attention. The results of this study suggest that women with moderate to severe UI should be screened for QoL by health care providers regularly. Further research is needed to determine comprehensive factors including psychosocial factors predicting the QoL for incontinent women.
Aged ; Female ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Parturition ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological ; Urinary Incontinence

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate disease in middle aged and elderly men. Therefore, identifying risk factors for BPH is crucial for understanding the etiology and for undertaking interventions or targeting strategies. The survey was carried out in two steps: first, pilot study was conducted prior to the main study in order to estimate baseline characteristics. Second, main study investigated prevalence and risk factors of BPH by clinical diagnostic tests and questionnaire. A total of 641 male aged 50-79 years participated in this community-based crosssectional study. Using 24 hour recall of food consumption, we found that animal fat intakes increased the risk of BPH with adjusted for age, chronic bronchitis, PSA level, drinking frequency, and excercise frequency (odds ratio 1.84, 95% confidence interval 1.10-3.06). Although BPH has been considered as unavoidable disease with advancing age, if these dietary risk factors are clearly identified, it can be prevented effectively by laying special emphasis on those at risk.
Aged ; Animals ; Bronchitis, Chronic ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Diet ; Drinking ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortuary Practice ; Pilot Projects ; Prevalence ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Healthy, young individuals are known to exhibit circadian variation in urinary functions. However, the effects of chronic circadian disturbance on voiding functions are largely unknown. The present work compared the effects of rotational shifts on the micturition patterns of female nurses to that in female nurses with routine daytime shifts. METHODS: A total of 19 nurses without lower urinary tract symptoms who worked rotational shifts for an average duration of 2 years were recruited. A voiding diary was kept for 9 consecutive days, and the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) questionnaire was completed three times, starting 3 days before their night duties until 3 days after completion of their night duties. For comparison, seven nurses with regular shifts completed a 3-day voiding diary and the OABSS questionnaire. RESULTS: Female nurses working rotational shifts had lower overall urine production and had decreased urination frequency and nocturia than female nurses working regular shifts, even when the nurses who worked rotational shifts had a regular night's sleep for at least 7 days. Upon reinitiation of night duty, overall urine production increased significantly, with no significant changes in urgency and frequency. When these nurses returned to daytime duty, the volume of urine decreased but nocturnal urine production remained high, and the incidence of nocturia also increased significantly. However, the effects on OABSS score were not significant under the study design used. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term rotational shifts resulted in adaptive changes such as decreased urine production and frequency in healthy, young female nurses. In addition, their micturition patterns were significantly affected by abrupt changes in their work schedules. Although working in shifts did not increase urgency or frequency of urination in healthy, young female nurses working rotational shifts for an average 2 years, large-scale studies are needed to systematically analyze the influence of shift work timings on micturition in humans.
Appointments and Schedules ; Circadian Rhythm ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Nocturia ; Pilot Projects* ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; Urination*

Background: This study aimed to evaluate exposure to various hazardous substances emitted by incineration facilities and their likely effect on the health for residents of Bugi-myeon, Cheongju, Korea, which has three incineration facilities. Methods: Heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dioxin concentrations in the air and soil of exposed and control areas were measured. Moreover, the exposure levels to harmful substances and its effects on health were investigated in 1,124 exposed and 232 control adults. Results: PAHs and dioxin concentrations in the air in the exposed area were significantly higher than in the control area. Urinary cadmium and PAHs metabolite concentrations were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control group. The exposure group also had a higher prevalence of depression and self-reported allergic symptoms than the control group. Conclusion The possibility of residents in Bugi-myeon being exposed to hazardous substances at incineration facilities cannot be ruled out. To prevent them from further exposure to hazardous substances, it is necessary to prohibit the expansion of additional incineration facilities in this area and to implement continuous monitoring projects for residents