Incontinence and Chronic Illness

Abstract

Objective: The production and content of the information available globally on the problem of urinary incontinence (UI) and fecal in- continence (FI) and their relationship to chronic illness (CHD) are examined in this study. Materials and methods: A database literature review was conducted in CINAHL, Ovid, SciELO, MEDLINE and Psychoinfo, between 2009 and 2012, using the descriptors “urinary inconti- nence” and “fecal incontinence” in combination with “chronic illness”. The approaches to the issue of incontinence were identified, analy- zed and classified according to relevance for understanding them in a situation involving chronic illness. Results: The studies found were presented classified into five main groups with respect to UI and FC; namely, those illustrating the magnitude of the problem because of its frequency and type, those establishing a direct relationship between incontinence and chronic illness, studies describing other factors associated with incontinence and with chronic illness, those on how to assess incontinence, and studies that offer input on how to manage UI and FI during chronic illness. Conclusions: The literature reflects abundant scientific production in the last two years and worldwide with respect to UI, but not for FI. There are models for assessing, measuring and understanding the phenomenon, and for specific inter- vention and care. However, no comprehensive approaches to the problem of UI and FI in persons with chronic illness were reported.