Lean Mean Research: The 21st Century Challenge for Urology

摘要

The International Continence Society defines stress urinary incontinence (SUI) as involuntary urine leakage on effort, exertion, sneezing, or coughing and defines mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) as involuntary leakage associated with urgency (a sudden, compelling desire to pass urine that is difficult to defer), exertion, effort, sneezing, or coughing [1 ]. In the fourth edition of the International Consultation on Incontinence (ICI), a review of 36 general population studies from 17 countries reported that prevalence estimates for the most inclusive urinary incontinence (UI) definitions ("ever," "any," or "at least once in the past 12 mo") ranged from 5% [2] to 69% [3]. SUI is reported to account for 49% of female UI, urgency incontinence for 22%, and MUI for 29%. Although the prevalence of UI may be surprising to many clinicians, women often underreport the problem or delay seeking treatment for several years after the problem has become bothersome. Incontinence has a major impact on quality of life (QoL), which is often not appreciated by health care providers [4].