Depression and the incidence of urinary incontinence symptoms among young women: Results from a prospective cohort study

Maturitas. 2015 Aug;81(4):456-61. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.05.006. Epub 2015 May 22.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association of depressive symptoms with subsequent urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms among young women.

Subjects and methods: Data were from a cohort of 5391 young women (born 1973-1978) from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Generalised Estimating Equations (GEEs) were used to link depressive symptoms, and history of doctor diagnosed depression at Survey 2 (S2) in 2000 with the incidence of UI symptoms in subsequent surveys (from S3 in 2003 to S6 in 2012).

Results: 24% of women reported the incidence of UI over the nine-year study period, while the prevalence rose over time from 6.8% (at S2, aged 22-27 years) to 16.5% (at S6, aged 34-39). From univariable GEE analysis, women with depressive symptoms or a history of depression were more likely to report subsequent UI symptoms. This remained after adjusting for socio-demographic, body mass index, health behaviours and reproductive factors, with depressive symptoms associated with 37% higher odds (odds ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.61) and history of depression with 42% higher odds (1.42, 1.17 to 1.74) of incidence of UI.

Conclusions: When woman seek treatment for UI symptoms, health professionals should consider her current or history of depression.

Keywords: Cohort study; Depression; Epidemiology; Urinary incontinence symptoms; Young women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Body Mass Index
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urinary Incontinence / epidemiology*
  • Women's Health
  • Young Adult