Prevalence and characteristics of urinary incontinence in a cohort of patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Evidence describing the characteristics of urinary incontinence (UI) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), and the impact of this combination of conditions on functional status and quality of life, is limited. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of UI in a cohort of CHF patients. METHODS: A prospective survey of 100 outpatients with CHF was undertaken. RESULTS: There were 43 (65.1%) patients with UI secondary to mixed incontinence (n = 16, 37.2%), urge incontinence (n = 19, 44.2%), stress incontinence (3, 6.9%) or post micturition dribble (n = 5, 1.6%) and 23 (34.9%) cited urgency with the potential for urge incontinence as their primary continence problem. CONCLUSION: UI was bothersome and managed by patients to minimize interference in daily living. Strategies for the measurement and management of UI in disease specific cohorts such as CHF requires further exploration.