Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on urinary incontinence and quality of life of nulliparous women

Impacto de la pandemia del SARS-CoV-2 en la incontinencia urinaria y la calidad de vida de mujeres nulíparas

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

To evaluate the impact of social isolation due to SARS-CoV-2 on the prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence and how this correlates with the quality of life of the nulliparous women evaluated.

Method:

Observational, longitudinal study, carried out from August/2019 to September/2020, at the Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde do Trairi/RN, with 37 nulliparous women from 18 to 35 years old, who answered the socio-anthropometric assessment, to the Incontinence Severity Index Questionnaire and King’s Health Questionnaire, before and during isolation due to SARS-CoV-2. Statistical analysis: Wilcoxon test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Significance level p≤0.05.

Results:

During social isolation, there was an improvement in urge incontinence (p=0.01) and in the frequency of urinary incontinence (p=0.03). The severity of urinary incontinence correlated with: general health perception (p=0.02; r=0.65); physical limitations (p=0.03; r=0.60); social (p=0.001; r=0.82).

Conclusion:

The social isolation from SARS-CoV-2 improved urge incontinence and frequency of urinary incontinence. The more severe the urinary incontinence, the worse the general health perception, physical and social limitations during isolation.

Keywords:
Coronavirus infections; Urinary incontinence; Prevalence; Women’s health; Quality of life