Guidelines Recommend Universal Screening for Urinary Incontinence in Women

The Women's Preventive Services Initiative, a national coalition of women’s health professional organizations and patient representatives, has released new guidelines recommending universal screening for urinary incontinence in women.

The guidelines were based upon an evaluation of evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for urinary incontinence in women, including a systematic review of the accuracy of screening instruments and the benefits and harms of treatment. They apply to adolescents and women of all ages, and state that screening should not be limited to those at increased risk.

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“Although minimum screening intervals are unknown, given the prevalence of urinary incontinence, that many women do not volunteer symptoms, and the multiple, frequently changing risk factors associated with incontinence, annual testing is reasonable.”

Further, they write that screening should include the use of validated assessment instruments, including clinician- or self-administered questionnaires for the primary care setting to identify women with incontinence to guide diagnostic evaluations and management.

“The implementation of universal screening through the use of a brief questionnaire might identify symptoms of urinary incontinence before they further affect women's lives.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

O’Reilly N, Nelson HD, Conry JM, et al. Screening for urinary incontinence in women: A recommendation from the Women's Preventive Services Initiative [published online August 14, 2018]. Ann Intern Med. doi: 10.7326/M18-0595