Quality of life and urinary incontinence in women

Urinary incontinence greatly diminishes quality of life. It is important to diagnose the three main types of urinary incontinence correctly – stress, urge or mixed incontinence – and to evaluate the impact of incontinence on quality of life. After a detailed history, a bladder diary and questionnaires are the most useful tools with which to determine what aspects of quality of life are most impaired – daily, work-related, recreational or sexual activities. In general, urgency and urge incontinence have a worse effect on quality of life than stress urinary incontinence. Measures of quality of life have become essential in developing management plans and in follow-up.