Abstract
Background: This review of studies on urinary incontinence (UI) was focused primarily on UI prevalence and associated factors across the adult lifecourse of Chinese women. UI is a urologic symptom that can have a significant impact on women's physical and mental health and quality of life. Although researchers from many countries have reported prevalence rates and associated factors for UI, little is known about the prevalence of UI in China’s large female population. Language may act as a barrier to the inclusion of published studies in English-language journals. To overcome this barrier and to add to the global knowledge base about UI in women, the authors reviewed and discussed findings from epidemiological studies published in China and in Chinese language.
Methods: The authors retrieved research studies from the five databases using the following search terms: "Subject: (Female) * Subject: (Urinary incontinence) * Subject: (Prevalence) * Date: 2013-2019". The authors used PubMed to search English-language studies published in Chinese journals on UI in Chinese women.
Results: This literature review includes 48 articles published between January 2013 and December 2019. The overall UI prevalence rates reported in adult Chinese women ranged from 8.7% to 69.8%. For women aged 17 to 40 years, 41 to 59 years, and 60 years and older, prevalence rates ranged from 2.6% to 30.0%, 8.7% to 47.7%, and 16.9% to 61.6%, respectively. Significant associated factors for overall UI included age, body mass index, constipation, parity, and menopause. Despite the 17 to 40 age range being peak reproductive years, the literature revealed little focus on UI prevalence rates. For women aged 41 to 59 years, the main associated factors included those related to pregnancy and gynecologic diseases. For women 60 years and older, chronic diseases represented most of the associated factors.
Conclusions: About 43 to 349 million Chinese women may experience UI. Many of the identified associated factors could be mitigated to reduce UI incidence and prevalence rates. Little is known about the prevalence rates and associated factors for UI among young Chinese women. Future research should investigate UI in young women to improve bladder health across their lifecourse.
HAPPINESS IN ADOLESCENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS: A LITERATURE REVIEW
