Characterization of elderly individuals with urinary incontinence

Authors

  • Mariano A. Melian Dalmau Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico “Diez de octubre”, La Habana, Cuba. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0455-358X
  • Yoandra Benitez González Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico “Comandante Manuel Fajardo”, La Habana, Cuba. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0455-358X
  • Elia Rosa Lemus Lago Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico “Comandante Manuel Fajardo”, La Habana, Cuba. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5524-1811
  • Adilen Rodríguez Izaguirre Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico “Diez de octubre”, La Habana, Cuba. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8030-2163
  • Christian Rafael Bravo Encalada Universidad Nacional de Loja, Ecuador. Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Dr. Salvador Allende. La Habana, Cuba. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3618-830X
  • Andrea Guissella Puentestar Jaramillo Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador. Instituto Nacional de Gastroenterología, La Habana, Cuba. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5847-3025

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. Although it is not a normal part of aging in older adults, it is very common and has a significant impact on their quality of life, causing emotional, social, and physical problems. 

Objective: To characterize older adults diagnosed with urinary incontinence. 

Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 26 older adults diagnosed with urinary incontinence from the nursing homes "28 de Enero" and "General Higinio Peraza" in the municipality of "Diez de Octubre," Havana, during the period from January 2024 to March 2025. 

Results: The age group of 70-79 years predominated (50 %), as did the female sex (38.5 %). Functional urinary incontinence was the most common type, particularly in the age group of 60 to 69 years, which accounted for 38.5%. Of the participants, 57.7 % were underweight, and 84.6 % were dependent; among them, 34.6 % had total dependence. Hypertension and Cerebrovascular Accident were the most prevalent conditions, affecting 61.5 % and 34.3 %, respectively. Chronic constipation and dementia were also prominent, with rates of 65.8 % and 46.2 %, respectively. 

Conclusions: Urinary incontinence in older adults can lead to depression and social isolation. It is essential to identify the factors that contribute to its occurrence from primary health care in order to ensure comprehensive care for this population group. 

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Published

2025-09-15

How to Cite

1.
Melian Dalmau MA, Benitez González Y, Lemus Lago ER, Rodríguez Izaguirre A, Bravo Encalada CR, Puentestar Jaramillo AG. Characterization of elderly individuals with urinary incontinence. GeroInfo [Internet]. 2025 Sep. 15 [cited 2025 Sep. 16];20:320. Available from: https://revgeroinfo.sld.cu/index.php/gerf/article/view/320

Issue

Vol. 20 (2025): (Publicación Continua)

Section

Comunicación Breve

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Copyright (c) 2025 Mariano A. Melian Dalmau, Yoandra Benitez González, Elia Rosa Lemus Lago, Adilen Rodríguez Izaguirre, Christian Rafael Bravo Encalada, Andrea Guissella Puentestar Jaramillo

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