A Norwegian study this week has revealed that women are more likely to develop urinary incontinence if their mothers or sisters also have the problem.
Urinary incontinence in women is known to be linked to factors such as age, obesity and childbirth injury. A study from Norway reveals that a genetic factor is also involved.
The scientists studied family history in a group of over 2,000 incontinent women, comparing them with 6,000 women whose relatives did not have a problem with incontinence. They found that daughters of mothers with urinary incontinence had a 1.3 times average risk of being incontinent themselves. The risk was double the average if the mother had severe symptoms.
Female siblings had a 1.6 fold increased risk of incontinence if their older sister had the problem. The gene or genes involved remain to be discovered but these findings shed new light on a troubling and embarrassing condition.
If you or a family member think this occurs in your family do get in touch and let us know.
Incontinence UK Team
www.incontinenceuk.co.uk
