Prevalence and Functional Impact of Urinary Incontinence in Women With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Undergoing Rehabilitation: a Cross-sectional Study

Launched by FONDATION HÔPITAL SAINT-JOSEPH · Aug 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how common urinary incontinence (unintentional leaking of urine) is in women with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) who are going through pulmonary rehabilitation, a program designed to help improve lung health. Women with COPD often have a persistent cough that can put pressure on the pelvic muscles, leading to urinary leakage. This study aims to better understand how often this happens, how it affects daily life, and its connection to coughing. The goal is to raise awareness and help develop better care plans, including possible treatments focused on strengthening pelvic muscles.

Women aged 45 or older with moderate to severe COPD (stages II to IV), who are currently participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program, may be eligible to join. Participants will be asked to complete a simple test to measure urine leakage and share information about their symptoms and quality of life. This study is observational, meaning it will collect information without changing treatment, and it hopes to pave the way for future research to improve care for women experiencing these overlapping health challenges.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Women aged 45 years or older
• • Patients diagnosed with GOLD stage II to IV Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• • Patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD in a specialized center
• • Patients able to complete the entire pad test
• • Patients with no more than 3 pregnancies in their lifetime \[9\]
• • Patients covered by a health insurance plan
• • French-speaking patients
• • Patients who have not objected to participating in this research
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who have undergone surgery in the pelvic or thoracic region less than one year ago
• • Patients under guardianship or curatorship
• • Patients deprived of liberty
• • Patients under legal protection (safeguarding justice)
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding patients