Urinary incontinence is strongly associated with depression in middle-aged and older Korean women: Data from the Korean longitudinal study of ageing

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between urinary incontinence (UI) and depression in middle-aged and older Korean women. Study design: A total of 1116 participants diagnosed with UI among 7486 respondents were included in this study, using data from a well-established survey that investigated a nationally representative population: the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA). Computer-assisted personal interviewing was used to assess the status of UI and depression. Depression was assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D 10) scale. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for depression were adjusted for age, household income level, marital status, education level, working status, smoking behavior, alcohol drinking behavior, exercise level, residence, and accompanying chronic diseases. Results: The proportion of patients with depression was significantly higher among women with UI (9.1%) than among women without UI (6.3%) (P < 0.0001). The depression scores became worse with worsening UI symptoms (OR of better vs. same vs. worse, 1.00 vs. 1.51 vs. 2.15, respectively; P for trend = 0.0001), with an increased number of days experiencing UI during the prior month during the 2 years of the panel study period (OR of none vs. 1 < days < 10 days vs. 10 days < were 1.00 vs. 2.15 vs. 4.36; P for trend = 0.003). Conclusions: Inadequately controlled and frequent UI is strongly associated with depression in middle-aged and older Korean women. The management of worsening UI may be of value as part of the assessment and management of depression. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.