Shaheen Halim, MA, Research & Analysis, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), 2000 L St., N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 955-1739, halim@ncqa.org and Russell Mardon, PhD, Research and Analysis, NCQA, 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036.

The prevalence of Urinary Incontinence (UI) increases with age, and potentially impacts the physical, social and emotional well-being of older adults. This study features analyses from the 2003 administration of the Health Outcomes Survey (HOS), sponsored annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) among Medicare managed care beneficiaries, and centrally collected by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The 2003 HOS featured four items developed by NCQA measuring UI prevalence, severity, and treatment. This allowed an examination of: 1) overall patterns and demographic differences in UI prevalence and treatment seeking 2) the correspondence of UI prevalence and severity with limitations in daily living, work and social activity, and symptoms of depression. Among the 41,596 beneficiaries included in analyses, overall prevalence of UI is 34%, but is higher among females (41%). Of respondents indicating UI was a problem for them, less than half (42%) talked to a health care provider about UI, and of those who talked to a provider, only 47% got treatment or self-care information. Of those experiencing UI, 70% also reported limitations on moderate to vigorous activity, climbing stairs, bending/kneeling/stooping, and walking more than one mile. Among those indicating UI was a “big problem”, 60% reported moderate to extreme limitations on social activity, and symptoms of depression. While UI is common and has negative impact on physical, social and emotional aspects of living, most seniors do not obtain treatment. Improvement in rates of treatment could in turn improve the well-being of older adults.

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