Urinary incontinence: historical, global, and epidemiologic perspectives.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a devastating worldwide problem in older adults. Establishing the true prevalence and incidence of UI remains a challenge as different societies define and approach UI differently. Nevertheless, most societies share the common practice of stigmatizing elders with incontinence. Enhanced awareness of global perspectives and epidemiological trends of incontinence isa necessary pre-requisite to improving management of this distressing geriatric syndrome.