Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Aging
Date Submitted: Dec 24, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Dec 24, 2024 - Feb 18, 2025
Date Accepted: Apr 17, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
A Longitudinal Cohort Study on Factors influencing the Severity of UDD among the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population: a five-wave survey in 10 years
ABSTRACT
Background:
Urinary and defecatory dysfunction (UDD) is a significant concern among aging population in China. However, there is a lack of longitudinal research exploring the risk factors of UDD severity in the Chinese elderly.
Objective:
This study utilizes data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) spanning 2011 to 2020 to explore UDD risk factors in middle-aged and elderly Chinese, focusing on epidemiological characteristics and potential influences on severity.
Methods:
A longitudinal cohort of over 10,000 participants from CHARLS was analyzed across five waves using multivariable logistic regression. This analysis examined associations between UDD severity and factors including demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors, including comorbidities, body mass index (BMI), and handgrip strength.
Results:
UDD incidence increased from 2.6% to 4.4% over the study period. Higher prevalence was observed among women, older adults, those with low education levels, and rural residents. Depression, arthritis, and low handgrip strength emerged as critical predictors of severe UDD. Additionally, abnormal BMI (both underweight and obesity) was strongly linked to increased severity and persistence of UDD. Participants aged 66 and above exhibited the highest UDD prevalence, with both underweight and obese individuals facing the greatest risk of persistent and worsening symptoms.
Conclusions:
This study is the first to longitudinally examine the risk factors of UDD severity in China’s middle-aging and aging population. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions focusing on muscle strength rehabilitation and comorbidity management to mitigate UDD progression, contributing to improved quality of life for elderly individuals. Clinical Trial: This study does not involve any experimental registration.
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