Differences in continence system between community-dwelling black and white women with and without urinary incontinence in the EPI study.
Academic Article
Overview
abstract
OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare continence system function of black and white women in a population-based sample. STUDY DESIGN: As part of a cross-sectional population-based study, black and white women ages 35-64 years were invited to have pelvic floor testing to achieve prespecified groups of women with and without urinary incontinence. We analyzed data collected from 335 women classified as continent (n = 137) and stress (n = 102) and urge (n = 96) incontinent based on full bladder stress test and symptoms. Continence system functions were compared across racial and continence groups. RESULTS: Comparing black to white women, maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) was 22% higher in blacks than whites (68.0 vs 55.8 cm H(2)O, P < .0001). White and black women with stress incontinence had MUCP 19% and 23% lower than continent women. MUCP in urge incontinent white women was as low as stress incontinent whites, but blacks with urge had normal urethral function. CONCLUSION: Black women have higher urethral closure pressures than white women. White women with urge incontinence, but not black women, have reduced MUCP.
