Urinary incontinence. A primary care guide to managing acute and chronic symptoms in older adults.

Loss of urinary control is closely linked with loss of independence. Most cases of urinary incontinence can be improved using behavioral and pharmacologic interventions. Several factors--including reluctance by physicians and patients to discuss and investigate symptoms--prevent patients from obtaining effective clinical management. In 1996, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality published a guideline for the management of acute and chronic urinary incontinence in adults. In addition to educating healthcare providers and patients about urinary incontinence, the guideline's mission includes improving the reporting, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition. The guideline offers a thorough discussion of urinary incontinence symptoms and subtypes, techniques for identifying and evaluating the condition, and treatment approaches.