Female urinary incontinence: Epidemiology and risk factors (comparison between developed and developing countries: Literature review) Hassan II university hospital, Department of Urology, Fès, Morrocco

Urinary incontinence is a pathology affecting mainly women which is defined by urinary leakage. 3 aspects are to be distinguished: stress urinary incontinence (urinary leakage during physical exertion, cough, etc.), urinary incontinence due to overactive bladder (urinary leakage due to urgency) and mixed urinary incontinence. UI is a frequent and "underestimated" pathology in women, reaching 48.3% in some studies. This symptom, is only reported if the clinician asks, mainly due to socio-cultural reasons in some countries: the shame of getting one's clothes wet. The UI has an important psychological and social impact on women’s quality of life(the limitation of physical activities, anticipation of the bathroom use due to fear of urinary leakage, the use of protection layers etc) Our study is a literature review. It included studies carried out in different continents: Schreiber’s study in Germany – Denmark (Europe), Máyra’s study in Brazil (Latin America), Dahamin’s study in Morocco (Africa) and also Andy Muller’s study (Democratic Republic of Congo). we will compare the prevalence of UI between different populations of these studies, analyze the results and highlight different risk factors involved in the development of UI. Patient selection methods differs between these studies, which makes comparison a bit delicate in some situations. Thus, the prevalence varies between 2% (Andy Muller’s study) and 48% (Schreiber’s study). stress UI was found to be the most frequent type of incontinence in women (established by all the studies in this article). Obesity, constipation, and multiparity were the most incriminated factors in the development of UI. The diagnosis was made by questioning and clinical examination. Paraclinical exams have their place only in case of diagnostic doubt. The treatment is initially based on hygiene and dietary measures, associated with kinesiotherapy+/- pharmacological treatment (anticholinergic drugs). Surgical treatment is only performed as a last resort.