BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that regular clinics might improve the 
management of urinary incontinence in general practice.
AIM: A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence 
among women in one general practice and the feasibility of using a health 
promotion clinic in its management.
METHOD: Questionnaires were sent to a 10% sample of women aged 20 years and over 
on the practice register. Pregnant women were excluded.
RESULTS: Of 384 questionnaires sent to eligible women, 314 were completed 
correctly (82%). The overall reported prevalence of urinary incontinence was 
53%; 8% of these women had urge incontinence, 46% had stress incontinence and 
43% had mixed incontinence. Incontinence was positively correlated with parity 
and with gynaecological operation other than hysterectomy and repair of prolapse 
but not with perineal suturing after childbirth, delivery of a baby weighing 9 
lb (4.1 kg) or more or mode of delivery. Twenty seven out of 78 incontinent 
women (35%) who completed a second questionnaire admitted to worrying about 
their incontinence but only 10 (13%) had consulted their doctor about the 
problem. The main reason given for not consulting was that incontinence was a 
minor inconvenience only. The 167 incontinent women were offered an appointment 
at a women's clinic but only 13 attended. Of these, 10 were entered into a 12 
week treatment trial. Various treatments were offered, such as the women being 
taught bladder training and pelvic floor exercises. One woman was lost to follow 
up, and for eight out of nine women their continence had improved, both 
subjectively and objectively.
CONCLUSION: Urinary incontinence in women is a common problem. It can be 
successfully diagnosed and treated in general practice but low attendance makes 
the health promotion clinic setting an inefficient means of achieving this.