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Incontinent Women More At Risk for Falls

Wed, 07/19/2000 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
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Bladder control problems that cause older women to rush to the bathroom at night may increase their risk of falls and fractures, researchers report. Researchers, led by Dr. Jeanette S. Brown of the University of California, San Francisco, found evidence that weekly or more frequent incontinence independently boosts an older woman's risk of falls and bone breaks. In a study of more than 6,000 women aged 72 and older, those with frequent urinary incontinence were about 25% more likely than women without the condition to suffer a fall. They had a one-third greater risk of fractures not involving the spine.

Specifically women with "urge incontinence" carried a higher risk of falls and fractures. People with this condition feel an overwhelming need to empty their bladders, but often cannot make it to the bathroom. Weakened pelvic muscles, bladder dysfunction, and certain medications may underlie the problem.

In an editorial, the Journal said that this study made a "compelling argument for urge incontinence as an additional risk factor for fall-related occurrences...Vigorous study should be devoted to combining drug therapies for incontinence with injury-prevention strategies like strength and balance training."

Bladder control problems that cause older women to rush to the bathroom at night may increase their risk of falls and fractures, researchers report. Researchers, led by Dr. Jeanette S. Brown of the University of California, San Francisco, found evidence that weekly or more frequent incontinence independently boosts an older woman's risk of falls and bone breaks. In a study of more than 6,000 women aged 72 and older, those with frequent urinary incontinence were about 25% more likely than women without the condition to suffer a fall. They had a one-third greater risk of fractures not involving the spine.

Specifically women with "urge incontinence" carried a higher risk of falls and fractures. People with this condition feel an overwhelming need to empty their bladders, but often cannot make it to the bathroom. Weakened pelvic muscles, bladder dysfunction, and certain medications may underlie the problem.

In an editorial, the Journal said that this study made a "compelling argument for urge incontinence as an additional risk factor for fall-related occurrences...Vigorous study should be devoted to combining drug therapies for incontinence with injury-prevention strategies like strength and balance training."