Author/Editor		Kralj, Božo
Title		Epidemiological background of urogynecology
Type		članek
Source		In: Lukanovič A, Tamussino K, editors. Urogynecology today. Joint meeting of Slovene urogynecological society and Austrian society for urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery; 2004 Sep 24-25; Portorož. Ljubljana: Slovene urogynecological society,
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 25-34
Language		eng
Abstract		The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in women is very inconsistent and essentially different. It ranges between 16.0% and 52.6%. The statistical data are dependent on the patients included in the study and methodology of data gathering. On the one hand an important part is played by the definition of incontinence and population characteristics. On the other hand results depend on the method of data gathering, that is, the selection of the type of questionnaires: postal questionnaires, postal questionnaires added to other questions, telephone questionnaires or questionnaires given to patients. Our statistical data were gathered in extensive epidemiological study in Slovenia, which included 3653 women of all ages (Kralj, et al, 1985, 1993). The epidemiological study revealed that 36.87% of women in Slovenia are incontinent. This data is consistent with the data ofother authors. The prevalence of female urinary incontinence significantly increases with age. In the younger age group (20 - 29 years) the study revealed only 16.0% of women with urinary incontinence, while the percentage of women with urinary incontinence in the age group 65 years and more was already much higher - 49.5%. Itis interesting that only 27.1% ofincontinent women aged 20 - 29 years estimate theyneed treatmentfor urinaryincontinence, while incontinent women aged 65 and more express their need for urinary incontinence treatment already in 88%. Similarly we statistically proved that the type of constitution bears influence on UI incidence. We proved UI in 45.1% of women of pyknic constitution, 23.8% of women of athletic constitution and 31.9% of women of asthenic constitution. The differences are statistically significant (p<0.05). Prevalence of UI is also influenced by the number of deliveries. Urinary incontinence was proven in 18.8% of women who had not yet given birth, in 31.3% of women who had one to two deliveries, and in 52. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		GENITAL DISEASES, FEMALE UROLOGIC DISEASES URINARY INCONTINENCE PREVALENCE INCIDENCE SLOVENIA