# Urine and fecal incontinence prevalence is increased in later born 81-year old cohorts in the Swedish general elder population: data from the Good Aging in Skåne study (GÅS)

## TL;DR

Urine and fecal incontinence are more common in older Swedish individuals born later, despite better overall health in these groups.

## Contribution

The study identifies a birth cohort effect on incontinence prevalence in the elderly, showing higher rates in later-born 81-year-olds.

## Key findings

- UI prevalence in 81-year-old men increased from 11% in 2001 to 25% in 2019.
- FI prevalence in 81-year-old men increased from 4% to 11% in the latest born cohort.
- Only one-third of men and half of women with UI used aids.

## Abstract

The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and fecal incontinence (FI) are conditions that increase with age. Apart from few larger studies data on prevalence and severity of UI and FI is scarce, especially among the > 80 yrs. and data of birth cohort effects is lacking.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate birth cohort effects on prevalence of UI and FI in the general older population. 6 714 subjects, 60 to 93 yrs were included during 2001 to 2019 from the ongoing general population study, Good Aging in Skåne (GÅS), part of the Swedish National study on Aging and Care (SNAC). The sample included four different birth cohorts aged 60 and 81 years at investigation and born 18 year apart with medical examination and questionnaire on prevalence and severity of UI and FI.

Prevalence of UI in men ranged from 10% aged 60–69 yrs. to 28% > 80 yrs and corresponding values for women ranged from 21% to 42%. Prevalence of FI in men ranged from 2% to 8% >80 yrs., and corresponding values for women ranged from 4% to 14% among age groups. Birth cohort effects were noted with higher prevalence of UI reported by later born (6 to 18 yrs later) men and women aged 81 yrs., OR 2.95 and 1.61, respectively, adjusted for stroke and dementia. Any UI for 81-year old men increased from 11% year 2001 to 25% among the 2019 cohort and UI the past 3 months among 81-year old women increased from 32% to 42% in the latest born cohort (p < 0.05). FI the past 3 months among 81-year old men increased from 4% to 11% in the latest born cohort (OR 2.95, p = 0.056). Only one out of three men and one out of two women with UI used aids.

UI and FI is highly prevalent in community dwelling elder Swedish population. A birth cohort effect is noted with increasing prevalence of UI and FI among 81-year old subjects in the later born cohorts, despite a better health in these birth cohorts.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-026-06999-6.