Factors associated with risk of stress urinary incontinence in women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for stress urinary incontinence. Using a case-control method, 140 women with and without stress urinary incontinence were recruited from three private physician practices and interviewed by telephone. The final sample included 94 cases and 46 controls, with a mean age of 51.5 and 54.3 years, respectively. Having any vaginal birth versus having only cesarean sections was associated with a substantial increase in risk for stress urinary incontinence. Episiotomy or tear during delivery was associated with a 3.78-fold increase in risk, but high parity (four or greater) was not a strong predictor. Having a mother with stress urinary incontinence was associated with a substantial increase in risk. Statistically significant associations were also found for multiple urinary tract infections.