Probable sarcopenia and obesity in women with urinary incontinence in the climacteric period

Abstract Introduction: Sarcopenia and obesity are associated with several health conditions. Few studies, however, have analyzed the presence of these conditions in climacteric women with incontinence, and the association between these conditions and the severity of urinary incontinence (UI) is not clear. Objective: To analyze probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and obesity in climacteric women with different UI severities, and the association between sarcopenia and UI severity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in a public maternity hospital in Northeast Brazil, with women aged ≥ 40 years. Sociodemographic issues, urogynecological history, UI severity (Incontinence Severity Index - ISI), grip strength, and anthropometric measures (waist circumference and body mass index - BMI) were evaluated. Means, standard deviations, absolute and relative frequencies, T test, and Fisher exact test were used (significance at 5%). Results: The sample comprised 177 women, with a mean age of 56.3 (± 9.7) years. Regarding UI, 69 (39.0%) women presented mixed UI, and 53.1% presented moderate UI severity. Only 18.1% women had normal BMIs, and 46.8% had general obesity and 80.3% had abdominal obesity. Probable sarcopenia (low strength) was observed in 35 (20%) women, and sarcopenia, in 3.4%. Women with severe/very severe UI presented lower grip strengths (p = 0.02) and higher BMIs (p = 0.04). Sarcopenia was associated with greater UI severity (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Probable sarcopenia and higher BMI were observed in women with greater UI severities, and sarcopenia was associated with greater UI severity. Preventive measures are needed in such conditions to avoid future complications.