Características sociodemográficas e clínicas em nonagenários e centenários com e sem incontinência urinária

Aims: to analyze the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of nonagenarian and centenary individuals with and without urinary incontinence. Methods: this is a cross-sectional and analytical study, involving 234 nonagenarians and centenarians evaluated in their homes, which were randomly selected in the city of Porto Alegre, RS. The presence of incontinence was assessed with respect to clinical and sociodemographic characteristics whose associations were tested by chi-square and the differences in means tested by Student’s t using the Epi Info program. Results: the prevalence of urinary incontinence was 56.41%, being 63.53% among women and 37.5% among men (p = 0.0003). The relationship between the presence of urine loss and marital status was significant (p = 0.0049), with greater frequency among widowers. Incontinents left the house less, participated less in physical and social activities, had a greater number of chronic diseases and depressive symptoms and a worse score in the cognitive assessment. Regarding urinary symptoms, most incontinents reported that urine or bladder interferes with their life (p <0.0001) and that urine or bladder causes embarrassment (p <0.0001). Among continent participants, 25% reported that urine or bladder disrupts their life. Conclusions: urinary incontinence was more frequent among women, older participants, widowers and individuals who lived alone. Despite a higher prevalence among women, an important prevalence among men is noteworthy. We conclude that urinary incontinence directly impacts the social life and health of nonagenarians and centenarians. Therefore, urinary incontinence should be an important component in the evaluation of nonagenarians and centenarians. We also observed that a significant number of nonagenarians and centenarians present discomfort related to urine, even without urinary incontinence.