PRNewswire (Apr 15, 10:31 AM) LINTHICUM, Md., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of a new survey commissioned by the American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD) and conducted by Harris Interactive(R) show that 57 percent of women surveyed have experienced symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a medical condition that results in accidental urine leakage when they sneeze, cough, laugh, lift or exercise. Among those surveyed who described SUI symptoms or have been diagnosed with the condition, more than one in four say that urine leakage affects their lives every day. SUI is the most prevalent form of urinary incontinence, but women rarely discuss their symptoms with a healthcare professional. The survey also shows that only three percent of the women who participated have been diagnosed by a healthcare professional.
"It's not surprising that so many women are displaying symptoms of SUI, yet are never diagnosed," said Richard D. Williams, MD, President, American Foundation for Urologic Disease. "There are several misconceptions out there about SUI. Among the most common are the beliefs that incontinence is a normal part of aging and that it cannot be treated, neither of which is true. By generating greater awareness and encouraging dialogue between patients and doctors, we can dispel these myths and break down the stigma associated with SUI."
In addition, the survey found that more than one in four of those who have been diagnosed or have SUI symptoms are uncomfortable discussing urinary leakage in general. A 2001 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing reports that many women feel ashamed of their condition and are embarrassed to talk about it.(i) They also hesitate to seek help because they have little hope for treatment, fear surgery or believe that their condition is a normal consequence of aging or childbearing.(ii)(iii)(iv)
"In my practice, I see women of all ages and stages of life with SUI," said Linda Brubaker, M.D., urogynecologist and professor Ob/Gyn and Urology, Loyola University Health System, Departments of Ob/Gyn and Urology. "In fact, many of my younger patients are surprised to find out just how common SUI is in their age group."
SUI and Impact on Active Living
AFUD's survey also found that physical activities that women must limit the most because of SUI are lifting objects, participating in sports/exercising and playing with children. A study published by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine agreed that women who attempt such physical exertion, as well as occupational and social activities, may have to limit them because of fear of urine leakage and related consequences such as urine odor, wetness and the visibility of pads.(v)
"Changing your normal routine even slightly because of stress urinary incontinence should be a signal to seek help," said Victor Nitti, M.D., associate professor and vice chairman, Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine. "Unfortunately, many women do not realize this, and they go on without professional help, altering their lifestyles instead."
Among women who have been diagnosed with SUI, 54 percent reported that lifting was limited, followed by exercise at 47 percent and playing with children 43 percent. SUI also affected intimacy, dancing and swimming in this subset of women.
"I don't go through a single week when urine leakage never happens, so I think about it all the time because I need to be prepared," said Debbie Terrill, a mother of seven from Wisconsin who has stopped playing golf and dancing at weddings because of SUI. "I feel as though SUI has really changed all facets of my life, such as my exercise routine and even intimacy with my husband."
Blowing the Whistle on SUI
Today the AFUD hosted a panel of medical experts and patients who discussed the survey results and the impact SUI has on active living. The forum was moderated by Bonnie Blair, one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history and an inspiration to women, and included relationship expert Laura Berman, LCSW, Ph.D., psychotherapist and relationship therapist, assistant clinical professor of OB/GYN and Psychiatry, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Director of the Berman Center in Chicago and co-host of Berman & Berman on Discovery Health.
Those who did not attend the forum can view the webcast on AFUD's website starting Thursday, April 22 for 90 days. To view the webcast, please log on to http://www.afud.org/.
Survey methodology
Harris Interactive(R) fielded the survey from March 24 through 31, 2004 among 4,661 U.S. adults aged 18 and over of whom 2,311 were women. In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95 percent certainty that results for the overall sample have a statistical precision of plus or minus 3 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult female population had been polled with complete accuracy. This is not a probability sample. Data for overall sample were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, and race/ethnicity. The survey was sponsored by the American Foundation for Urologic Disease in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
About Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)
SUI, with nearly twice the prevalence of urge incontinence, is the most common form of urinary incontinence among women. In the United States alone it affects approximately 30 million women over the age of 18.(vi) Although common, SUI is a medical condition that is not normal at any age, but unfortunately many women do not seek treatment because they are embarrassed, fear surgery, or believe it is a normal part of aging and that nothing can be done about it. Primary causes of SUI are nerve damage, muscle damage or weakness, and damage to the support of the bladder and urethra. The following conditions are associated with an increased risk for SUI: chronic coughing, obesity, constipation and childbirth.
About the American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD)
The American Foundation for Urologic Disease, Inc. (AFUD) is a charitable organization established to raise funds for research, lay education and patient advocacy for the prevention, detection, management and cure of Urologic diseases. The Foundation is located in Linthicum, Maryland in the new, state-of-the-art headquarters building of the American Urologic Association (AUA).
AFUD funds leading-edge research conducted by some of the brightest researchers in the field and mentored by Urologic investigators with outstanding research programs at various educational institutions throughout the United States and Canada. The Foundation also provides patient education programs and information to health professionals, patients, and caregivers in the areas of bladder health, kidney health, pediatric urology, prostate health, reproductive health and sexual function.
Refer to: Cheryl Blik, American Foundation for Urologic Disease,
1-410-689-3990
Evelyn Sprigg, Euro RSCG Life NRP, 1-212-845-4236
(i) Shaw C. A review of the psychosocial predictors of help-seeking
behaviour and impact on quality of life in people with urinary
incontinence. J Clin Nurs 2001;10:15-24.
(ii) Minassian VA, Drutz HP, Al-Badr A. Urinary incontinence as a
worldwide problem. Int J Gynecol Obstet 2003;82:327-38.
(iii) Norton PA, MacDonald LD, Sedgwick PM, et al. Distress and delay
associated with urinary incontinence, frequency, and urgency in
women. BMJ 1988;297:1187-9.
(iv) Dugan E, Roberts CP, Cohen SJ, et al. Why older community-dwelling
adults do not discuss urinary incontinence with their primary care
physicians. J Am Geriatr Soc 2001;49:462-5.
(v) Brown WJ, Miller YD. Too wet to exercise? Leaking urine as a
barrier to physical activity in women. J Sci Med Sport 2001;
4:373-8.
(vi) Estimated that 29.5 million women have SUI in pure or mixed forms,
based on 2000 US census bureau figures and incontinence prevalence
rate of 35% as cited in Hampel C, Wienhold D, Benken N,
Eggersmann C, Thuroff. Definition of overactive bladder and
epidemiology of urinary incontinence.
Urol 1997:50 (S6A):4 -14.
American Foundation for Urologic Disease
CONTACT: Cheryl Blik of American Foundation for Urologic Disease,+1-410-689-3990; or Evelyn Sprigg of Euro RSCG Life NRP, +1-212-845-4236, forAmerican Foundation for Urologic Disease
Web site: http://www.afud.org/
