To investigate the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) subtypes and symptom severity on women’s quality of life (QoL).

This cross-sectional study analyzed prospectively collected data from women with UI evaluated between January 2010 and December 2020. UI subtypes and subjective symptom severity were assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q). QoL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Brief (WHOQOL-bref). Objective severity was evaluated using the one-hour pad test. A control group of continent women was included for comparison.

A total of 441 women with UI (n=78 with SUI; n= 11 with UUI; n=252 with MUI) and 137 continent controls were included. The mean age was 58.6±14.1, similar between UI subtypes and with no significant difference (p = 0.236). BMI was significantly higher in the UI groups (29.0±5.58) compared to the control group (27.3±5.42). The mean duration of symptoms was (6.3 ± 8.30), with no significant difference between subtypes. And there was no significant difference in marital status, most participants were married. Women with urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) demonstrated significantly lower QoL scores in the physical and psychological domains compared to those with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and controls (p < 0.001) (table 1). While all UI subtypes were associated with significantly reduced overall QoL compared to controls, increasing symptom severity—based on both subjective (ICIQ-SF) and objective (pad test) measures—was not associated with additional QoL impairment.

The findings suggest that the presence and subtype of UI, rather than its severity, play a more critical role in determining QoL impairment. UUI and MUI appear to have a more pronounced negative impact, particularly on physical and psychological well-being.

Urinary incontinence significantly compromises quality of life in women, regardless of symptom severity. UUI and MUI are associated with greater QoL impairment than SUI, especially in physical and psychological domains, highlighting the importance of tailored clinical approaches based on UI subtype.