No association seen for incontinence with MVPA classification, but link seen with type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, stroke
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, May 2, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Urinary incontinence is not associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) classification, but is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and comorbidity, according to a study published in the May issue of Preventive Medicine.
Lisa L. VanWiel, P.T., from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, and colleagues conducted a retrospective observational study using electronic medical records to examine the associations of urinary incontinence with MVPA and CVD risk. Data were captured on incontinence diagnosis, self-reported MVPA, and CVD risk factors and diagnosis from July 2022 to June 2024.
The researchers found that 5.4 percent of the 20,155 women included in the analysis had an incontinence diagnosis. Those with incontinence did not differ in MVPA classification compared with those without incontinence, but they had increased odds of type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, stroke, and coronary artery bypass grafts in models adjusted for age, race, body mass index, and tobacco use (adjusted odds ratios, 1.25, 1.37, 1.55, and 3.17, respectively).
“Health care providers may also consider recommendations to prevent incontinence, such as optimizing fluid intake to reduce bladder irritants and pelvic floor muscle training, as a way to reduce future CVD risk,” the authors write. “Likewise, CVD risk factors should be assessed in patients presenting with incontinence.”
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