Urinary incontinence in older people: an overview

Lower urinary tracts symptoms (LUTS) and urinary incontinence (UI), defined as involuntary loss of urine, are very common in the general population and increase in prevalence in late life. All LUTS have a considerable impact on morbidity and quality of life. Urinary incontinence is seldom discussed by patients, many of whom delay seeking care. Despite increasing evidence for effective management, older people are frequently neither assessed nor treated. This article discusses the assessment and management of the main subtypes of incontinence likely to be encountered in generalist practice for both the physiologically fit and frail older person.