Editorial Comment: Multiple studies have demonstrated that urinary incontinence (UI) can have negative outcomes on quality of life (QoL) and other health parameters in affected individuals. UI can be associated with increased rates of depression, limitations in activities and social isolation. However, most of this research has been conducted in community dwelling elderly populations, and relatively few studies have examined these associations specifically in elderly nursing home residents. This research evaluated older adults living in long-term care facilities in the state of Minnesota to determine the influence of UI on general and disease specific QoL. Data were obtained on 10,683 nursing home residents 65 years or older. The prevalence of UI was high, at 65.8%. Overall self-reported QoL was rated as good (higher than 0.7 on a scale ranging from 0 to 1) by 8,620 of participants (80.7%). It is noteworthy that UI, defined as urine leakage 2 or more times weekly, did not appear to influence overall QoL in this cohort. However, UI appeared to diminish several QoL sub-domains, including dignity, autonomy and mood.
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