Objective: To determine whether mortality is independently associated with urinary incontinence.
Design: 6-year prospective study that started in 1983/84.
Setting: A Midwestern County.
Participants: Probability sample of 1956 community-residing persons 60 years of age and older in 1983/84.
Measurements: The independent variables of urinary incontinence, its types and severity, were measured by survey self-report, which was validated with clinical exams. The control variables of age, education, and health status were also self-reported. The dependent variable of death was established during follow-up interviews from reports of previously designated contact persons.
Results: Neither incontinence status nor its severity level or types were found to be positively associated with 6-year mortality in logistic regression analyses that adjusted for age, education, and health status.
Conclusion: Whereas urinary incontinence can be an embarrassing and socially debilitating condition, it does not itself predict or contribute to mortality.