Prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated factors in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome after hospital discharge

Abstract

Objectives:

To assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence and the clinical and demographic factors associated with patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.

Method:

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 59 participants from Porto Alegre/RS. Data were collected via telephone interviews using a structured instrument, the Functional Status Scale, and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form, between September 2021 and October 2022. Numerical data were analyzed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Student's t-test with Mann-Whitney's post-hoc was applied for comparison of continuous variables. Fisher's exact test was used for correlation of categorical data.

Results:

The sample included 32 women (56.4 ± 11.3 years) and 27 men (49.5 ± 10.7 years). Only women reported post-COVID-19 urinary incontinence (28%), as well as emotional alterations (p=0.006). Urinary incontinence was associated with insomnia (p=0.005).

Conclusion:

Urinary incontinence was prevalent only in women and was not affected by COVID-19. Women also exhibited greater emotional alterations. Insomnia was the variable associated with the outcome. Thus far, there is incipient evidence regarding the association of the SARS-CoV-2 infection with the prevalence of urinary incontinence in individuals with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.

Cardoso JR, Steffanello LN, Ferreira LF, Leites GT, Da Rosa PV, Rosa LHTD. Prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated factors in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome after hospital discharge. Rev Gaucha Enferm. 2024 Nov 25;45:e20230283. English, Portuguese. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2024.20230283.en. PMID: 39607228.