Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this review article is to present update information on urinary incontinence which is a common health problem in the community.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence and its recent definition by the International Continence Society is presented. Normal and abnormal voiding function is summarized while emphasizing that urinary incontinence is a type of voiding dysfunction. Urinary incontinence must be defined as in the same manner as in voiding dysfunction. The types of lower urinary tract voiding dysfunction which may lead to upper urinary tract deterioration are listed.

Types of urinary incontinence on the basis of symptom, sign, and urodynamic observations are summarized. Urodynamic tests which are used in the evaluation of urinary incontinence are mentioned. The necessity of identifying the underlying cause of the urinary incontinence (condition) before a surgical treatment is underlined. The features of the common types of urinary incontinence are mentioned.

The evaluation of urinary incontinence is presented.

Urinary incontinence is a common and important type of voiding dysfunction. The physicians who deal with urinary incontinence must be very familiar with normal voiding function, and have the appropriate defining, evaluation, and treatment skills of voiding dysfunction.