Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to detect subtypes of urinary incontinence (UI) and their effects on quality of life (QoL) and sexual function among women seeking weight loss. METHODS: A cross-sectional study focusing on women seeking weight loss with UI symptoms was carried out. Participants were stratified into three groups: stress UI, urgency UI, and mixed UI groups. The effects of the three groups on QoL and sexual function were compared. RESULTS: A total of 564 individuals (46.8%) were reported to present with UI symptoms. Among these, 216 (38.3%), 71 (12.6%), and 277 (49.1%) had stress UI, urgency UI, and mixed UI respectively. The severity of UI was greater in the urgency UI and mixed UI groups than in the stress UI group, with varying ratios observed among patients with different severities of UI: stress UI was highest in mild cases, and the mixed UI was highest in moderate or severe cases. Mixed UI had the most detrimental effect on QoL and sexual function. However, after controlling for the severity of UI, mixed UI still had a greater detrimental effect on UI-specific QoL, and no differences were identified among the three groups regarding general QoL or sexual function. CONCLUSION: This study revealed variations in the constituent ratios of UI subtypes related to the severity of UI and the effects of various UI subtypes on QoL and sexual function among women seeking weight loss. Notably, the mixed UI demonstrated the most severe symptoms and the most detrimental impact, particularly as assessed by UI-specific QoL questionnaires.