Report of a mail survey of women with bladder control disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Very little is known about a patients perception of the severity of incontinence, absorbent product use, and interaction with health care professionals despite the growing prevalence of bladder control disorders such as urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder.

PURPOSE: Using a simple mail-in questionnaire, this survey was meant to evaluate the limitations in intervention for UI in women due to communication shorffalls. It cites common resources utilized once a woman finds significance to her bladder control problem. The survey explores the adequacy of intervention relative to the effective availability of information, materials, and treatment. The objective was to understand the current patient-professional relationship in order to evaluate different vehicles that might effectively increase communication regarding incontinence issues.

METHODS: In partnership with a mail order medical product company, the author formulated a questionnaire that was mailed by the company to 1,500 women. Half of the sample was derived from randomly selected "leads" from advertising sources and personal referrals who had identified themselves as incontinent but had never purchased incontinence supplies from them. The other half were randomly selected customers who had purchased the company's incontinence products. The 33-item multiple-choice questionnaire had 422 responses; of these, 405 women, aged 56 and older were evaluated. A research firm that conducts and analyzes consumer surveys using standard consumer research protocol tabulated results.

FINDINGS: Of those suffering from UI, two groups emerged. The first felt that incontinence was related to aging, and were not embarrassed to discuss it with their physician. They had mixed feelings regarding impact on quality of life. The second group was reluctant to seek professional advice and was uncomfortable speaking about it. They felt strongly about its negative impact on daily life. Respondents from both groups who seek professional assistance still desired more information about the causes, treatments, and coping mechanisms. Most wanted more provider interaction and wanted their doctor or health care provider to proactively initiate discussion on incontinence and provide information, educational materials, and product samples.

CONCLUSION: Respondents indicated that they want more information regarding incontinence. While they may not be equipped to fully understand the problem, they expect doctors, nurses, medical professionals, retail outlets, medical supply companies, and mail order houses to provide the information. Since respondents are receiving information through consumer advertising, which is usually commercially funded, a partnership between the health care community and these sources to produce this information would be ideal.