Prevalence and Risk Factors of Incontinence among Nursing Home Residents in Japan

Hypothesis / aims of study Urinary and fecal incontinence are common problems among residents living in nursing homes. However, a nationwide survey of prevalence of these impairments among nursing residents in Japan had not been conducted to date. Japanese nursing homes provide physical and cognitive cares for frail elderly to rehabilitate to home. The Functional Independence measure (FIM) is widely used indicator of severity of disability to evaluate activity of daily living of elderly. The aim of this study is to clarify the prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence and to identify risk factors of these impairments among the elderly living in nursing homes in Japan. We also analysed association between the status of incontinence and change of the FIM score after 3-month rehabilitation.