ABSTRACT
The prevalence of UI in women increases with age. A postal survey was conducted by Thomas et al. ( 4 ) to selected health districts in the London boroughs and neighboring health districts in the late 1970s. In that survey, incontinence was defined as involuntary excretion or leakage of urine in inappropriate places or at inappropriate times twice or more a month, regardless of the quantity of urine lost. Incontinence was further subdivided into regular UI for a loss twice or more per month, and occasional for less than twice per month. The response rate was excellent at 89%. Table 2.1 shows the prevalence rates for regular and occasional incontinence in women aged 15 to more than 85 years. Three age tiers to the prevalence of regular incontinence in women were noted: the first level, 15 to 34 years (prevalence 4-5.5%); the second tier, 35 to 74 years (prevalence 8.8-11.9%); the third, 75 years and older (prevalence 16-16.2%).
