Questionnaire survey of urinary incontinence in women with cystic fibrosis
BMJ 2001; 322 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7301.1521 (Published 23 June 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;322:1521
- A Orr (alison.orr@smuht.nwest.nhs.uk), senior physiotherapist,
- R J McVean, senior physiotherapist,
- A K Webb, professor of thoracic medicine,
- M E Dodd, specialist physiotherapy clinician
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit, North West Lung Centre, South Manchester University Hospitals Trust, Manchester M23 9LT
- Correspondence to: A Orr
- Accepted 30 March 2001
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease characterised by the production of infected secretions, and it requires lifelong daily treatment by airway clearance. We knew that some women attending our clinic for adults with cystic fibrosis leaked urine when performing airway clearance or spirometry, but they were dismissive during discussion and were rarely forthcoming about the problem. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence in women with cystic fibrosis, to establish the importance of the problem as perceived by the patients, and to identify those women who wanted help.
Participants, methods, and results
We invited women with cystic fibrosis who attended our clinic in the four month study period to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire was self administered and semistructured, and it contained 15 items (see appendix on BMJ's website). The questions related to the severity, causes, …