Tíðni þvagleka meðal stúlkna í framhaldsskólum

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to study the prevalence of urinary incontinence in young Icelandic female college students. We also studied how the incontinence effected their daily life, and also if they ever received any education and/or instruction on pelvic floor exercises. Material and methods: A total of 311 women in age range 16-19 years old were randomly selected from eight college schools in Iceland. This is about 3.7% of all women at this age's range living in the country. A validated four item (ICIQ short form) questionnaire was used assessing the prevalence, perceived causes and magnitude of urinary incontinence as well as effects on quality of life during the last 4 week. The questionnaire was translated into Icelandic according to an agreed international methodology. Additional two questions were asked regarding pelvis floor exercises. Results: Out of 311 students 294 responded (94.5%). About one third (32%) reported some urinary incontinence during the past four weeks, 11% had at least two episodes a week. Incontinence affected their quality of live in 26% of responders (mean value 2.8 on the scale 1-10). Over all 55% had symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, 24% pure urge incontinence and 21% had mixed symptoms. The majority or 78% of the women had not received any instructions about pelvic floor exercises. Conclusions: Urinary incontinence is a prevalent condition affecting the quality of life in 26% of young Icelandic female college students, stress incontinence being the most common symptom. Preventive measures such as pelvic floor exercises should be recommended in this age group.

Tilgangur: Tilgangur þessarar rannsóknar var að kanna tíðni þvagleka meðal ungra kvenna í framhaldsskólum landsins sem og að kanna hve mikla kennslu þær hafa fengið í þjálfun grindarbotnsvöðva. Aðferðir: Úrtakið náði til 311 stúlkna á aldrinum 16-19 ára úr sex framhaldsskólum á höfuðborgarsvæðinu og tveggja af Suðurlandi. Þetta samsvarar 3,7% af fjölda stúlkna á þessum aldri í landinu. Alþjóðlegur staðfærður spurningalisti var notaður. Hann samanstendur af spurningum um tíðni, gerð, ástæður og áhrif þvagleka á daglegt líf. Auk þess voru tvær spurningar um fræðslu og kennslu í grindarbotnsæfingum. Niðurstöður: Alls svöruðu 294 stúlkur af 311 (94,5%). Um þriðjungur þeirra hafði fundið fyrir þvagleka, þar af voru 11% sem misstu þvag tvisvar eða oftar í viku. Um fjórðungur töldu einkennin hafa einhver áhrif á daglegt líf (að meðaltali 2,8 á kvarðanum 0-10). Rúmlega helmingur þeirra (55%) höfðu einkenni um hreinan áreynsluleka, 24% með bráðaleka og 21% höfðu blönduð einkenni. Yfirgnæfandi meirihluti stúlknanna hafði enga fræðslu fengið um grindarbotnsvöðva eða æfingar. Ályktanir: Þvagleki er algengur meðal ungra íslenskra kvenna og hafa einkennin áhrif á daglegt líf hjá fjórðungi þeirra. Með aukinni fræðslu um grindarbotnsvöðva og þjálfun mætti eflaust koma í veg fyrir þessi vandamál hjá mörgum þessara stúlkna.