Association between urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections, and fractures in postmenopausal women

Objective: The association between urinary disorders, such as ongoing urinary incontinence (UI), history of urinary incontinence (HIST-UI) and urinary tract infections (UTI), and fractures in peri- and postmenopausal women was assessed in an epidemiological study. Subjects and methods: The sample consisted of 10 000 women from seven birth cohorts, born between 1900 and 1940, who were investigated regarding urinary disorders, fractures and reproductive history by means of a postal questionnaire. Results: The overall response rate was 74.6%. The respondents (n = 7459) represented 53% of the total population from the respective birth cohorts. There was a significant independent correlation between UI, HIST-UI and UTI, respectively, and fractures after the age of 30. In subjects with HIST-UI, tobacco smokers compared to non-smokers had significant more fractures in both the 1930 and 1940 birth cohorts (P < 0.01). Logistic multiple regression in the 1930 and 1940 cohorts demonstrated that age (P < 0.001), HIST-UI (P < 0.001) and tobacco smoking (P < 0.05), respectively, had an independent explanatory value for fractures. Conclusion: The prevalence of fractures increased with increasing age, in smokers compared to non-smokers and in women with a history of UI.