The effects of urinary incontinence on functional status and balance in the elderly

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of urinary incontinence on functional status and balance in individuals over 60 years of age with and without urinary incontinence. Method: The study was carried out with 57 volunteers from Manisa Nursing Home Foundation. To determine urinary incontinence status, type and severity, some questions in ICIQ, UDI-6, IIQ-7, OAB-V8 questionnaires were used. Participants were divided into 2 groups with and without urinary incontinence. Functional status was evaluated using the 30 seconds chair stand test, 8 food up and go test, 2 minutes step test and chair sit and reach test, 4 batteries of Senior Fitness Test. Berg Balance Scale was used for the two groups in balance evaluation. Results: Demographic characteristics of the groups were similar (p> 0.05). There were 25 people in the UI group and 32 people in the other group. The scores of the urinary incontinence group were lower in the two groups' functional status and balance evaluation, but this difference was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). In the urinary incontinence group, there was a significant difference (p <0.05) in the 2 minutes step and 8 food up and go tests in the assessment of functional status and balance according to gender, whereas the same was not found in the group without urinary incontinence (p> 0.05). 8 food up and walk test negatively strong correlation with UDI-6, 8 food up and walk test negatively moderate correlation with OAB-V8, BDÖ with positively moderate correlation with UDI-6 and 30 second chair stand test with pozitively moderate correlation with OAB-V8 was found (rho:-0,630 p=0.001, rho=-0,407 p=0.044, rho=0,405 p=0.045, rho=0,467 p=0,018). Conclusion: Functional status and balance may be affected in elderly patients with and without urinary incontinence aged 60 years and older. Balance and functional status may worsen as incontinence symptoms increase, but more studies are needed. Keywords: Elderly, urinary incontinence, functional status and balance.