How does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men? Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey)
Abstract Background There is a large body of evidence showing that incontinence is associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Moreover, while a few cross-sectional studies have shown that incontinence is associated with decreased life satisfaction, there is a lack of studies r...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Health and Quality of Life Outcomes |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-1274-y |
| _version_ | 1818737415032930304 |
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| author | Elżbieta Buczak-Stec Hans-Helmut König André Hajek |
| author_facet | Elżbieta Buczak-Stec Hans-Helmut König André Hajek |
| author_sort | Elżbieta Buczak-Stec |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is a large body of evidence showing that incontinence is associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Moreover, while a few cross-sectional studies have shown that incontinence is associated with decreased life satisfaction, there is a lack of studies regarding whether the onset of incontinence influences life satisfaction of affected individuals longitudinally. Thus, the objective of this study is: (i) to investigate the impact of incontinence on life satisfaction and (ii) whether this effect differed between women and men using a large population-based sample longitudinally. Methods Longitudinal data from 2008 to 2014 were retrieved from a nationally representative sample (9869 observations in regression analysis) of community-dwelling individuals aged 40 years and over (German Ageing Survey, DEAS). Physician-diagnosed incontinence was reported by respondents. Life satisfaction was quantified using the well-established Satisfaction with Life Scale. Linear fixed-effects regressions were used. Results After adjusting for potential confounders (e.g., self-rated health or depression), regressions revealed that the onset of incontinence was associated with a decline in life satisfaction in men (β = −.25, p < .01), but not in the total sample and in women. These differences were significant (p < .05). In a further sensitivity analysis, individuals with cancer were excluded. However, in terms of significance and effect size, the impact of incontinence on life satisfaction in men remained almost the same in both models. Conclusions The onset of incontinence markedly reduces life satisfaction among men aged 40 and over. Interventional strategies to postpone incontinence may assist in maintaining life satisfaction in men. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T00:52:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9c8c5125dae44f6bb4c63eb8c829bf90 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1477-7525 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T00:52:40Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health and Quality of Life Outcomes |
| spelling | doaj.art-9c8c5125dae44f6bb4c63eb8c829bf902022-12-21T21:26:37ZengBMCHealth and Quality of Life Outcomes1477-75252020-01-011811810.1186/s12955-020-1274-yHow does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men? Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey)Elżbieta Buczak-Stec0Hans-Helmut König1André Hajek2Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfDepartment of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfDepartment of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfAbstract Background There is a large body of evidence showing that incontinence is associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Moreover, while a few cross-sectional studies have shown that incontinence is associated with decreased life satisfaction, there is a lack of studies regarding whether the onset of incontinence influences life satisfaction of affected individuals longitudinally. Thus, the objective of this study is: (i) to investigate the impact of incontinence on life satisfaction and (ii) whether this effect differed between women and men using a large population-based sample longitudinally. Methods Longitudinal data from 2008 to 2014 were retrieved from a nationally representative sample (9869 observations in regression analysis) of community-dwelling individuals aged 40 years and over (German Ageing Survey, DEAS). Physician-diagnosed incontinence was reported by respondents. Life satisfaction was quantified using the well-established Satisfaction with Life Scale. Linear fixed-effects regressions were used. Results After adjusting for potential confounders (e.g., self-rated health or depression), regressions revealed that the onset of incontinence was associated with a decline in life satisfaction in men (β = −.25, p < .01), but not in the total sample and in women. These differences were significant (p < .05). In a further sensitivity analysis, individuals with cancer were excluded. However, in terms of significance and effect size, the impact of incontinence on life satisfaction in men remained almost the same in both models. Conclusions The onset of incontinence markedly reduces life satisfaction among men aged 40 and over. Interventional strategies to postpone incontinence may assist in maintaining life satisfaction in men.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-1274-yCognitive well-beingHealth-related quality of lifeIncontinenceLife satisfactionLongitudinal studiesSex differences |
| spellingShingle | Elżbieta Buczak-Stec Hans-Helmut König André Hajek How does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men? Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey) Health and Quality of Life Outcomes Cognitive well-being Health-related quality of life Incontinence Life satisfaction Longitudinal studies Sex differences |
| title | How does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men? Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey) |
| title_full | How does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men? Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey) |
| title_fullStr | How does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men? Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey) |
| title_full_unstemmed | How does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men? Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey) |
| title_short | How does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men? Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey) |
| title_sort | how does the onset of incontinence affect satisfaction with life among older women and men findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study german ageing survey |
| topic | Cognitive well-being Health-related quality of life Incontinence Life satisfaction Longitudinal studies Sex differences |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-1274-y |
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