BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between urinary incontinence and respiratory function in middle-aged and older Japanese men. METHODS: Seven hundred community-dwelling men aged 40 years or above were recruited from community centres and hospital outpatient clinics. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was administered to ascertain their urinary incontinence status. Standardized spirometric measurements of respiratory function were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 7.6% among the 668 eligible participants (mean age 62.7 years). The 51 men who leaked urine had significantly lower FEV1 and FVC than those who were continent (P < 0.01). The adjusted risks of urinary incontinence were 0.67 (95% CI: 0.43-1.04) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.40-0.98) for the two continuous respiratory function variables (L), respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate an inverse association between urinary incontinence and respiratory function and an additional health burden in lung diseases.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between urinary incontinence and respiratory function in middle-aged and older Japanese men. METHODS: Seven hundred community-dwelling men aged 40 years or above were recruited from community centres and hospital outpatient clinics. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was administered to ascertain their urinary incontinence status. Standardized spirometric measurements of respiratory function were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 7.6% among the 668 eligible participants (mean age 62.7 years). The 51 men who leaked urine had significantly lower FEV1 and FVC than those who were continent (P < 0.01). The adjusted risks of urinary incontinence were 0.67 (95% CI: 0.43-1.04) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.40-0.98) for the two continuous respiratory function variables (L), respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate an inverse association between urinary incontinence and respiratory function and an additional health burden in lung diseases.