Evaluation of incontinence and quality of life in patiens with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis

Background: Incontinence is common and more prevalent in respiratory disease. Despite this, the effect of incontinence on quality of life in respiratory patients is unknown. Methods: We conducted a case controlled questionnaire study. We sent the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire (ICIQ), the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), the EuroQol 5D (utility) and the MRC questionnaire to 150 patients with COPD, 150 patients with bronchiectasis and 150 controls (orthopaedic surgical patients). The groups were age and gender matched. Mann-Whitney test was used to determine effects of gender and disease. Results: 164 (81 male) patients and 53 (22 male) controls replied. Overall, females (68%) had more incontinence than males (41%). Median (IQR) values for ICIQ were significantly (p<0.05) higher for female patients (4 (0-7.5)) but not for male patients (0 (0-4)) compared to controls (3 (0-5.5), 0 (0-3.7) respectively). However, male, but not female, patients with incontinence had a significantly (p=0.01) lower utility score, despite no difference in MRC (table). Effect of incontinence on quality of life Number Age, yrs ICIQ* Utility* LCQ* MRC* mean (sd) Female Continent 23 72.7 (10.4) 0 (0.0–7.0) 0.8 (0.7–0.8) 17.4 (15.0–18.4) 2.0 (2.0–3.0) Incontinent 58 67.6 (11.3) 7 (5.0–10.5) 0.7 (0.6–0.9) 14.8 (11.9–17.2) 3.0 (2.0–3.8) Male Continent 48 71.7 (8.6) 0 (0–0) 0.8 (0.6–0.9) 16.6 (13.7–19.8) 3.0 (2.0–4.0) Incontinent 31 72.4 (9.3) 5 (3.75–6.0) 0.6 (0.5–0.8) 13.8 (11.6–17.5) 3.0 (2.0–3.0) *Values as median (IQR). Conclusion: Incontinence is more common in females but males with incontinence had more impaired overall health related quality of life.