Incontinence can be caused by the side-effects of drugs or other conditions, including urinary tract infection or stool impaction. Although most sufferers live in the community, urinary incontinence is a significant factor in decisions to move an older family member into a nursing home. Half the nation's 1.5 million nursing home patients suffer from the condition. Urinary incontinence is a major factor in the development of pressure ulcers, a leading health problem among nursing home patients and other persons confined to beds or chairs. Urine's wetness and acidity can kill skin tissue, leaving the patient susceptible to infection and ulceration.
Urinary incontinence can also lead to psychological problems, such as depression.
The document was then tested in selected hospitals and clinics. Medical practitioners can change this situation. The document, which covers various types of urinary incontinence, provides a framework for selecting appropriate behavioral, pharmacologic, and surgical treatments, and evaluates the use of supportive devices. The guideline recommends thorough medical history-taking and testing and urges clinicians to identify and treat transient causes of incontinence immediately. The guideline also provides indications for referring patients to specialists for further evaluation.