Urinary Incontinence in Old Age

The aim of this cross-sectional observational study is to examine the independent associations of urinary incontinence severity and post-void residual urine volume with frailty and other geriatric outcomes in older adults presenting to a urology outpatient clinic with urinary incontinence.

This is a prospective, cross-sectional study aim to include 1000 patients with urinary incontinence and 100 healthy controls in Hong Kong. The overall objection is to address the gaps in epidemiological profiles, TCM syndrome differentiation, and biomarkers discovery of urinary incontinence among older women. The specific aims including: 1. To assess the epidemiological characteristics of urinary incontinence among older women, as well as patients' knowledge and healthcare-seeking barriers, and to explore factors influencing the disease subtypes, severity, and healthcare-seeking behaviors; 2. To establish diagnostic criteria for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation of urinary incontinence, and analyze the distribution of TCM syndromes; 3. To explore diagnostic biomarkers and severity evaluation biomarkers for three subtypes of urinary incontinence (SUI, UUI, MUI).

KOKU Bladder aims to develop and test an evidence based digital health program with behavior change techniques to improve bladder health of adults aged 50 and over. A novel module embedded in the approved app "Keep-on-Keep-up" (KOKU) will be co-created with end-users, researchers, health professionals, and stakeholders through a participatory and appreciative action and reflection methodology. After a comprehensive literature review and consultation with 4-6 experts, 6 focus groups will be undertaken in Kaunas(Lithuanian), Catalonia (Spain) and Manchester (UK) to co-create the contents of the module. Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Gamification and the Honeycomb model for user experience will be followed to achieve an appropriate technological solution that will be tested through a randomized controlled trial with at least 120 individuals. A mixed methods approach (quantitative/qualitative analysis) will be used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program. Open data and science, gender and ethical aspects, as well as a risk management plan are considered. A plan for communication, dissemination, exploitation of results will be considered. KOKU Bladder will be highly scalable and will have wide reach and impact. This proposal is in line with EU policy initiatives on Active and Healthy Ageing (bladder health and continence will be promoted), targeting aspects such as eHealth, Innovation and Digital Care Transformation, by supporting users to demand more responsive and integrated care programs for chronic conditions and enhancing self-management strategies, independence and health intelligence.