Diabetes Increases UI Risk

Urinary incontinence (UI), particularly severe UI, is more prevalent among postmenopausal women with a history of diabetes. For the study, the researchers assessed 1017 postmenopausal women aged 55 to 75. Of these women, 218 had diabetes. The results of the study found that 60% of the women reported at least one episode of UI in the prior month. Of these, 8% had severe UI and 14% reported that difficulty controlling urination was a moderate or severe problem. The women with diabetes were twice as likely to experience severe UI.

Reporting in Diabetes Care (July 2005), Sara L. Jackson, MD, said, "While our study was not a treatment trial, the relationship between diabetes, body mass index, and incontinence suggests another potential motivation to encourage weight loss among those at risk. Weight loss could potentially improve both diabetes and incontinence."