Dietary Caffeine, Fluid Intake and Urinary Incontinence in Older Rural Women

Abstract:

Forty-one women completed the first phase (self-monitoring) of the Behavioral Management for Continence (BMC) intervention, while working with a nurse during home visits to reduce involuntary urine loss as part of the parent study involving older, rural women living at home. A decrease in dietary caffeine intake and an increase in fluid intake were most frequently recommended. The relationship between a decrease in the amount of dietary caffeine consumed and fewer daytime episodes of involuntary urine loss approached significance –P = 0.0744 – whereas an increase in the average amount of fluid intake was significantly related to an increase in the average volume of urine voided –P = 0.0479 – and not to involuntary urine loss.