Micturition habits and incontinence at age 17—reinvestigation of a cohort studied at age 7

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology of micturition disturbances in teenagers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A subsample of 1034 teenagers previously evaluated at age 7 years was reinvestigated 10 years later. A postal questionnaire was used and a response rate of 71% (736) obtained. Those who reported bladder symptoms were contacted by telephone for a detailed history concerning imperative urge, daytime incontinence, emptying difficulties and bedwetting. RESULTS: There was a general decrease in the frequency and intensity of symptoms from 7 to 17 years of age. At age 17 at least one symptom was reported by 5.9% of the girls and 0.9% of the boys. Overall the symptoms were regarded as mild or moderate. CONCLUSION: At age 17 years, micturition disturbances were reported infrequently and few subjects wanted medical help.