Journal of School of Public Health and

  Background and Aim: Urinary Incontinence (UI) as a main health problem affects on Quality of Life negatively. UI prevalence is reported between 3-57.1% in different countries. Nevertheless, there are limited studies about probable risk factors, e.g. type and number of delivery and related disorders such as anal incontinence. This study was aimed to investigate the UI risk factors and related disorders in our society.

  Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted on 166 women with UI and 90 healthy subjects, aged 26-70(45.3±7.9) and 20-64(38.2±8.4) years respectively. After completing a designed questionnaire, assessment of vaginal tone, Pelvic Floor Muscles'(PFM) strength and endurance carried out. Independent t-test and Pearson correlation test were used to analysis the data. Values of p<0.05 were considered to be significant.

  Results: Our data showed that the mean of age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and number of deliveries in women with UI were significantly higher than that women without UI were (P<0.05).There was a significant difference regarding to the prevalence of anal incontinence and constipation between two groups (P<0.05). Reduced vaginal tone and lower strength and endurance of PFM were seen in women with UI (P<0.05).

  Conclusions: Regarding high prevalence of some pelvic floor disorders such as constipation in incontinent women, we recommend performing further epidemiologic and etiologic investigations , also emphasis on establishing multidisciplinary approach health/therapeutic centers to provide better services to these patients.