Prevalence and risk factors of stress urinary incontinence among female horseback riders in Poland.

Overview

• This study investigates how common stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is among female horseback riders in Poland and identifies factors that increase the risk of developing SUI.
• It highlights that age, body mass index (BMI), and childbirth history influence SUI prevalence and impact quality of life for these women.

Introduction to Stress Urinary Incontinence and Horseback Riding

• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) refers to involuntary leakage of urine during activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising.
• Traditionally, SUI is associated with older age and having given birth, but repetitive physical strain can also trigger symptoms in younger women.
• Horseback riding involves repeated movements and intra-abdominal pressure, which can both strengthen and strain the pelvic floor muscles.
• The dual effect of riding raises the question of whether female riders are at increased risk for developing SUI.

Study Design and Participants

• The research was conducted with 100 Polish female horseback riders aged between 21 and 54 years.
• Among these participants, 85% engaged in horseback riding recreationally, while 15% were professional riders.
• Participants were divided into three age groups for analysis.
• They were assessed for urinary incontinence symptoms using standardized and validated questionnaires:
• IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire) to assess the quality of life impact.
• UDI-6SF (Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form) to evaluate urinary symptom severity.
• A custom 25-item survey collected detailed information on equestrian practice, reproductive history, urinary symptoms, and overall health.
• Statistical analysis employed non-parametric tests, correlation assessments, and logistic regression facilitated by the R programming environment.

Key Findings

• Stress urinary incontinence was reported by 36% of the female horseback riders in the study.
• SUI significantly impaired the quality of life across physical, social, and emotional domains as indicated by questionnaire scores.
• Several factors were associated with a higher prevalence of SUI and greater distress from symptoms:
• Higher body mass index (BMI).
• Older age.
• History of childbirth.
• Riding parameters such as type of training (recreational vs. professional), frequency, and duration were generally not linked to SUI prevalence, except:
• Riders with shorter overall riding experience reported higher distress from urinary symptoms (higher UDI-6 scores).
• Logistic regression analysis showed:
• Each additional year of age increased the odds of SUI by 7% (OR = 1.07).
• Each unit increase in BMI raised odds by 16% (OR = 1.16).
• Taller height was associated with a reduced risk of SUI (OR = 0.92 per unit height).

Implications and Recommendations

• Urinary incontinence is a significant and relevant health issue for female horseback riders, negatively affecting their lifestyle and emotional well-being.
• The study emphasizes the key roles of age, BMI, and childbirth history in the development of SUI symptoms.
• A longer history of horseback riding seems to correlate with lower distress from urinary symptoms, suggesting possible adaptation or pelvic floor strengthening over time.
• Preventive and management strategies highlighted include:
• Regular pelvic floor muscle training tailored to individual needs.
• Personalized physiotherapy focused on pelvic health.
• Interdisciplinary care involving urologists, physiotherapists, and sports medicine professionals to support riders.
• Raising awareness among female riders about SUI and encouraging early intervention can improve their quality of life and potentially allow longer participation in equestrian activities.

Conclusion

• This research sheds light on a moderately high prevalence of stress urinary incontinence among female horseback riders in Poland.
• It contributes valuable insights on risk factors and quality of life impacts, underscoring the need for targeted preventive measures.
• The findings reinforce the importance of comprehensive pelvic floor health care in female athletes exposed to repetitive intra-abdominal pressure during sports like horseback riding.