August 2010 Author in the Room^® Teleconference

Author: Patricia S. Goode, MD

Article: "Incontinence in Older Women"

Summary Points:

• Urinary incontinence (UI) is very common in older women and should be in Review of System for ALL older women.
• Initial behavioral therapy (pelvic floor muscle exercises, urge and stress strategies, caffeine avoidance) is easy to do and should be the FIRST line treatment for older women with urge and stress urinary incontinence.
• Modifiable Contributing Factors for urinary incontinence should be addressed before prescribing antimuscarinic medications and include: urinary tract infection, constipation, diabetes control, mobility impairment, sleep apnea, caffeine, timing of diuretics, oversedation.​