What is Incontinence?

Incontinence is a term that describes any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or bowel motion, faeces or wind from the bowel ( faecal or bowel incontinence).

Incontinence may be temporary or chronic and is more common among women, and those above 50 years old. Although this is true, incontinence may affect anyone. The best thing to do is to seek a doctor’s advice and learn about the condition, and how to manage it.

Facts About Incontinence

Urinary incontinence affects 200 million people worldwide.

• In the average adult patient we are aiming for a urine output of: 0.5-1ml/kg/hr = average adult patient. However, care should be taken when treating patients >65yrs where the target urine output should be: 0.25-0.5ml/kg/hr = patients >65yrs.
• 1 in 4 women over the age of 18 experience episodes of leaking urine involuntarily.
• 1 in 5 men will experience urinary incontinence in their lifetime.
• 1.2 million Malaysians suffer from some form of incontinence or the inability to control involuntary loss of urine.
• The prevalence of Overactive Bladder (OAB) among Malaysian men and women aged above 40 is 11% – 13% and 16.9% respectively.

Source: Continence of Foundation Malaysia