Lower urinary tract symptoms, incontinence and falls in elderly people: time for an intervention study

Abstract

Falls in older people constitute a common health hazard, which has attracted much attention and research. There are many evidence-based interventions, which have been shown to reduce the subsequent risk of falls. There is good evidence for an association between the risk of falling and the presence of urinary incontinence in older people, but incontinence has not been routinely included in interventions targeted to reduce falls. This article reviews the evidence for current falls intervention and the association between falls and urinary incontinence, making the case for an intervention study.