Active encouragement of older women with urinary incontinence in primary care to undergo diagnosis and treatment: A matched-pair cluster randomized controlled trial

Objectives: The URINO trial investigated the effect of offering treatment to older women with urinary incontinence in the general population, who had not sought help on their own initiative. Study design: In a cluster randomized trial, 14 general practitioners were matched into pairs and randomly allocated to an intervention or a control group. Women aged >= 55 years registered in the participating practices were asked about urinary incontinence via a postal questionnaire. Patients in the intervention group were assessed and treated whereas patients in the control group received standard care. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome was improvement (yes or no) of the severity of symptoms at 12-month follow-up measured with the Incontinence Severity Index. Secondary outcomes were the number of incontinence episodes per day and quality of life. The primary analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis with multiple imputation of missing data. A logistic regression model with correction for cluster randomization was fitted to estimate odds ratios (ORs). Results: At 12 months, the severity of symptoms had improved in more patients in the intervention group (n = 166) than in the controls (n = 184) (OR 1.9; 95% C11.1-3.3). Also, the number of patients with fewer episodes of incontinence had increased (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.5-4.1). No between-group differences in changes in quality of life were apparent (p = 0.14). Conclusions: It is recommended to encourage women in the general population aged > 55 years with urinary incontinence to undergo diagnosis and treatment. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.