Depression and Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional

Abstract

Introduction: Depression and urinary incontinence are common and often co-occurring conditions in older adults, both of which significantly reduce quality of life. Depression may exacerbate urinary incontinence through mechanisms such as pelvic floor muscle weakness, bladder overactivity, and medication side effects. This study examined the association between depression levels and urinary incontinence among older adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on February 23, 2025, in Banjar Cepaka, Bali. Forty older adults meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited through purposive sampling. Depression was assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), while urinary incontinence was evaluated with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). Data analysis was performed using the Spearman rank correlation test.

Results: A statistically significant association was found between depression and urinary incontinence (p = 0.000, p < 0.05), with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.753, indicating a very strong positive correlation.

Conclusion: Depression is strongly associated with urinary incontinence in older adults. These findings underscore the need for integrated mental and physical health assessments in geriatric care. Future studies with larger, more diverse populations are warranted to investigate additional influencing factors such as age, physical activity, and quality of life.