Urinary Incontinence and Sedentary Behaviour in Nursing Homes (OsoNaH)

Associations Between Urinary Incontinence, Sedentary Behaviour and Other Health-related Outcomes in Nursing Homes in Catalonia: the OsoNaH Project

The increase of the older adult population in the past years has generated an important impact on chronic conditions and geriatric syndromes like dementia, falls and urinary incontinence (UI). To better understand IU seems warranted because of its socioeconomic and health impact. Nursing home (NH) residents are the frailest segment of our population, with very low physical activity levels and highly sedentary. Several studies had shown that physical activity levels and time and patterns of sedentary behaviour (SB) are independent risk factors for many health issues. As far as the investigators know, there is no evidence supporting the relation between IU and SB, and no information about the incidence of IU in NH residents living in Catalonia (Spain).

This project consists of two stages: stage 1 will conduct a cross-sectional study using mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative), and a 2-year longitudinal study (stage 2). Stage 1 has the main objective of verifying the prevalence of IU and its associated factors in NH residents in Barcelona (Spain), as well as analyse the association between IU (and their types) with SB time and patterns. In addition, the proportion of geriatric residents who receive control measures for their IU, and whether they receive SB-related interventions from health professionals of the institution will be also explored. Finally, the investigators aim to understand the experience of NH residents and the health professionals who care for them about the characteristics, burden and barriers of having IU. Stage 2 has the main objective to verify the incidence of the functional and continence decline, falls, hospitalizations and mortality, as well as their predictive factors in older care/nursing home residents in Barcelona (Spain). Specific objetives are to assess the evolution of each activity of daily living and the causes of hospitalization and death in geriatrics residents for a period of 2 years and to verify the incidence of recurrent falls (one or more falls), and analyse the consequences of falls (fractures, hospitalizations, among others) among the residents. Potential risk and protective factors for mortality due to COVID-19 and its impact on functioning and hospitalizations will also be analyzed. Finally, the stage 2 of the project aims at creating a specific instrument for the evaluation of frailty in institutionalized older people, based on the main predictive factors of functional decline.

Study Overview

• Status: Suspended
• Conditions: Sedentary Behavior; Urinary Incontinence in Old Age
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Sedentary behaviour; Diagnostic test: Urinary Incontinence

Detailed Description

The low birth rate and an increased life expectancy are transforming the age pyramid of the European Union (EU); probably the most important change will be the marked transition towards an aged society, a characteristic that is already evident in several EU member states. In 2017, the 65+ older adult's population had an increase of 0.3% compared to the previous year, and an increase of 2.4% compared to the previous 10 years. People over 80 years old are increasing at a faster rate than any other age segment of the EU population. This increase is probably linked to a growing demand for long-term care, which represents a significant overload on public health resources. Care/nursing homes are the main providers of long-term care. One of four older adults will spend a period of their life in a care/nursing home, and the dependence for such care will persist until their dead. The older adults who live in a nursing home are the most fragile of our society with high levels of physical dependence and one third of them suffering from cognitive impairment. An acute hospitalization typically is associated with multiple diseases in older people, and disability is frequently followed by high rates of progressive physical decline and mortality in the years following discharge. It is well known that hospital admission can change normal aging due to adverse health outcomes after hospitalization, especially in terms of functional decline, mortality frailty and cognitive impairment.

Frailty is one of the most important concerns regarding our aging population. Evidence grows that the syndrome is linked to several important health outcomes, prevalent in all countries and is a leading contributor to functional decline and early mortality in older adults. The last consensus defined frailty as "a clinical state in which there is an increase in an individual's vulnerability for developing an increased dependency and/or mortality when exposed to a stressor".

The decline in functionality is one of the main issues that affects older people because it limits their autonomy and leads to dependency. In older people, functional capacity can be defined as the ability to carry out a set of activities necessary for an independent life, the ability to carry out basic activities of daily living (BADL), those related to self-care and survival (such as bathing and eating), and more complex actions called instrumental activities (such as shopping and transportation). Functionality decline lead to high financial costs and are close associated with frailty, mobility problems, and increased risk of falls, dependency, hospitalization, and death. The association between functional decay and urinary incontinence (UI) could be bidirectional, which can lead to a cycle where continence reduction results in functional decline, and functional decline leads to further decrease in urinary continence.

The prevalence of UI in Spain is approximately 10% in women between 25 and 64 years old and over 50% in those over 65 years old. In the domain of nursing homes, this proportion is around 50% and is frequently associated with cognitive impairment, physical inactivity and immobility syndrome, among other factors. In this context, we can find a type of UI described as "functional" that it's caused by the inability to move to the bathroom independently, due to a physical or cognitive problem (e.g. dementia). Most older adults mistakenly believe that incontinence is part of the normal aging process and / or is an irresolvable problem. However, UI is a geriatric syndrome that represents an indicator of frailty and quality of health care, as well as a risk factor for pressure ulcers, falls, fractures and even urinary sepsis or death.

Falls, though preventable, are common among older adults, and the resulting injuries can threaten their health, independence, and lives. In 2014, 30% of older adults (aged > 65 years) in the United States reported falling at least once, and the estimated 29 million falls that year resulted in 7 million injuries and approximately 27,000 deaths. The evidence and research in Spain, shows that 30% of people over 65, independent and autonomous will be affected by an annual fall. This percentage increases progressively as age increases, because age is one of the main factors of risk in falls, being older people the ones with highest risk of suffering injuries, increased dependence, disabilities, institutionalization in centers and death, considering itself as a factor of frailty. In people over 75 years old its risk of fall rises to 35%, and in people over 80 years old it reaches 50%. Several studies estimate that this prevalence increases up to 50% in the case of institutionalized older people. Falls are an important public health problem, being an underdiagnosed problem, because when there are no physical consequences, do not usually go to the health system.

Previous investigations followed by decades of research, confirm that nursing home residents are the less physically active and spend most of their awake time inactives). Doing regular physical activity (PA) limit the development and progression of most prevalent chronic diseases. However, time spent in SB has increased considerably in the last three decades and increases with age. SB has been gaining recognition as a risk factor of specific health conditions and reduced mobility, sometimes independent of PA levels. A typical day for a resident will consist in a sequence of periods of SB, light intensity PA (LPA) and moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). Care/nursing home residents spend an average of 79% of their day sedentary, 20% in LPA and 1% in MVPA.

Regarding the association between SB and the UI, there is little evidence available. In a recent literature review on the association between SB and UI in women, the review concluded that information available was limited, although suggested that SB could be considered a risk factor for UI in women. If we review the little existing literature concerning the association between SB and UI, there is a consensus among the authors on low levels of PA and prolonged patterns of SB could be direct risk factors for UI in older adults or in the older women, and there is a lack of complementary studies of higher quality in the association between SB and UI.

On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a new major public health issue especially affecting NHs. This virus has been shown to be particularly deadly for older adults and those with certain underlying medical conditions. In relation to deaths from COVID-19 in Spain, 87% of the reported deaths were 70 years or more and a 95% presented comorbidity. The population living in NH, generally with older age and multiple comorbidities, are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. In Catalonian NHs 28,418 suspected cases, 11,560 confirmed positive cases and 3,055 deaths were reported until May 2020. Due to the vulnerability of NHs themselves to outbreaks of respiratory diseases and the frailty of NH population, there is a need of analysing the impact of COVID-19 in NH residents in terms of mortality, hospitalisation, as well as other health, social and cognitive-related variables. We also want to learn about the potential risk and protective factors for mortality due to COVID-19 and the impact of this disease on funtioning and hospitalizations.

For all the reasons cited above, they lead us to think that there is a gap in the description of nursing home residents. Consequently, the stage 1 of this study aims at knowing the current state of health-related outcomes of nursing home older adults and the factors that influence their quality of life. Reducing SB patterns and ensuring an increase in PA in an individualized and progressive way can contribute to the stabilization of chronic cardio metabolic pathologies, improve their muscular quality and cardiopulmonary capacity, improve their biopsychosocial sphere and promote their socialization with other residents and health professionals and finally increase their participation in the nursing home. However, the certain association between SB and UI remains unclear. The OsoNaH project will try to cover this lack of knowledge and define the possible aetiology and associated factors with the different types of UI and SB, in order to determine new ways of intervention, treatment and care for the nursing home residents. Finally the stage 2 aims to better know the characteristics of functional decline, continence decline, falls, hospitalizations and mortality due to the importance and impact they generate on older people and their caregivers. This project may help to develop of new lines of interventions, management and treatment. Also, this study will try to fill de gap of knowledge in the region of Central Catalonia about this issues. So it is considered necessary to know from an interdisciplinary and longitudinal field, the evolution / appearance and predictive factors of functional decline, continence decline, falls, hospitalizations and mortality of institutionalized older people.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 458

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Barcelona
    • Centelles, Barcelona, Spain, 08540
      • Residència Sant Gabriel. Nursing home
    • Els Hostalets De Balenyà, Barcelona, Spain, 08550
      • Casal Oller. Nursing home
    • Manlleu, Barcelona, Spain, 08560
      • Residència Aura. Nursing home
    • Montesquiu, Barcelona, Spain, 08585
      • Residència els Tells. Nursing home
    • Sant Boi de Lluçanès, Barcelona, Spain, 08201
      • Els Munts. Nursing home
    • Sant Hipòlit de Voltregà, Barcelona, Spain, 08215
      • Fundació Gallifa. Nursing home
    • Santa Maria De Corcó, Barcelona, Spain, 08511
      • Casal de la Santa Creu. Nursing home
    • Santa Maria De Corcó, Barcelona, Spain, 08511
      • Residència Cantonigròs. Nursing home
    • Seva, Barcelona, Spain, 08269
      • Els Bons Amics. Nursing home
    • Tona, Barcelona, Spain, 08551
      • Hotel Residència el Prat. Nursing home
    • Tona, Barcelona, Spain, 08551
      • Residència Prudenci. Nursing home
    • Torello, Barcelona, Spain, 08570
      • Residencia Rocapravera. Nursing home
    • Vic, Barcelona, Spain, 08500
      • Funcació Privada de Gestió Clear - Residència Centre de Dia SAITS. Nursing home
    • Vic, Barcelona, Spain, 08500
      • Residencia el Nadal. Nursing home
    • Vic, Barcelona, Spain, 08500
      • University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia. Facultat de Ciències de la Salut i el Benestar; Afiliation with the M3O research group

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 65 years and older (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All nursing home residents, both sexes, 65 years of age or older who live in the institution permanently willing to participate in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria for the quantitative part:

• All nursing home residents (male or female) 65 years of age or older who live in the institution permanently who voluntary will to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria for the quantitative part: :

• Subjects in coma or palliative care (prognosis of short life).

Inclusion criteria for the qualitative part (residents):

• Voluntary participation in the study.
• Be diagnosed with UI for at least 6 months
• Be able to express themselves verbally.

Inclusion criteria for the qualitative part (professionals):

• Voluntary participation in the study
• Caring for older people with UI for at least 6 months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Other
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Urinary Incontinence	The presence of IU assessed by the Minimum Data Set (MDS) version 3.0	January 2020 to July 2020 (cross-sectional)
Patterns of sedentary behaviour	Patterns of sedentary behaviour (SB) with monitors (PAL Technologies, Scotland).	January 2020 to July 2020 (cross-sectional)
Functional decline	Modified (Likert 5-point scale) Barthel Index, assessed every 6 months	January 2020 to March 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)
Continence decline	Minimum Data Set (MDS) version 3.0, assessed every 6 months	January 2020 to march 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)
Incidence of falls	Prospective register of falls (date, place and consequence/s)	January 2020 to March 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)
Hospitalizations	Prospective register of hospitalizations (date and cause)	January 2020 to March 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)
Mortality	Prospective register of deaths (date and cause)	January 2020 to March 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sociodemographic variables	Sociodemographic variables (sex, age, civil status, education level, type of institution (public versus private / concerted) and time of residence in the institution.)	January 2020 to July 2020
Lower urinary tract symptoms	Number and proportion of participants with lower urinary tract symptoms with the International Prostate Symptoms Score and urinary infection for the last 30 days.	January 2020 to July 2020
Faecal incontinence	Faecal incontinence according to Minimum Data Set version 3.0 (MDS 3.0)	January 2020 to July 2020
Intake of liquids and diuretic drinks	Diary	January 2020 to July 2020
Handgrip strength	Dynamometer (2 trials per hand)	January 2020 to July 2020
Physical performance	Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)	January 2020 to July 2020
Mobility	Rivermead Mobility Index	January 2020 to July 2020
Frailty	Clinical Frailty Scale	January 2020 to July 2020
Basic activities of daily living	Modified (Likert 5-point scale) Barthel Index	January 2020 to July 2020
Physical activity programs	What kind of physical activity programme, the frequency of the sessions weekly, the dose of exercise of each session, the duration of the whole session, who provides the session, where the session is performed and if the session is individually or in group).	January 2020 to July 2020
Incontinence programs	What kind of programs are being applied to control and treat urinary and faecal incontinence in nursing homes	January 2020 to July 2020
Medication intake	According to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system and the Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD)	January 2020 to July 2020
Health conditions	Number and proportion of participants with chronic diseases, delirium and pressure ulcers	January 2020 to July 2020
Toxic habits	Number and proportion of participants who have smoked ever and are taking alcohol currently	January 2020 to July 2020
Cognitive status	Pfeiffer Scale, with final score ranging from 0 (normal) to 10 (total cognitive impairment)	January 2020 to July 2020
Depressive symptoms	15-item Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, with final score ranging from 0 (normal) to 15 (severe depression)	January 2020 to July 2020
Anxiety	Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), with final score ranging from 0 (normal) to 21 (severe anxiety)	January 2020 to July 2020
Number births	Using the NH register	January 2020 to July 2020
Type of births	Using the NH register	January 2020 to July 2020
Number of falls	During the last year, according to the NH register	January 2020 to July 2020
Nutritional status	Mini Nutritional Assessment Test, ranging from 0 (malnutrition) to 30 (normal)	January 2020 to July 2020
Biochemical evaluation	Amount of Vitamin D, albumin and pre-albumin, PCR (Protein C-Reactive) extracted from the routine analysis of the residents.	January 2020 to July 2020
Body composition	Percentage (%) of body fat, % of fat-free mass and % of body water assessed by a Tanita TBF-300 bioimpedance device	January 2020 to July 2020
Social network	Lubben Social Network Scale ranging from 0 to 30, with a higher score indicating more social engagement.	January 2020 to July 2020
Loneliness	6-item Gierveld Loneliness Scale ranging from 0 (not lonely) to 6	January 2020 to July 2020
COVID-19	Date and result of diagnosis test/s for COVID-19 (PCR or serological antibody test)	June 2020 to March 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)
Suspected case of COVID-19	In the previous 6 months, the resident had symptoms compatible with COVID-19 (cough, fever and/or breathing difficulties) without COVID-19 diagnosis test confirmation	June 2020 to March 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)
Frailty	Level of resident's frailty assessed with the Clinical Frailty Scale	June 2020 to March 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)
Change in medication	Any change in the regular medication in the last 6 months (include the name of the med, dose and the duration of treatment)	June 2020 to March 2022 (longitudinal, follow-up)
Quality of life (European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions)	final score for Spain ranges between 1 (full health) to -0.654 (worse outcome)	January 2020 to July 2020

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia
• Collaborators: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; Glasgow Caledonian University; University Ramon Llull
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Eduard Minobes Molina, M3O

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Farres-Godayol P, Jerez-Roig J, Minobes-Molina E, Yildirim M, Goutan-Roura E, Coll-Planas L, Escriba-Salvans A, Molas-Tuneu M, Moreno-Martin P, Rierola-Fochs S, Rierola-Colomer S, Romero-Mas M, Torres-Moreno M, Naudo-Molist J, Bezerra de Souza DL, Booth J, Skelton DA, Gine-Garriga M. Urinary incontinence and sedentary behaviour in nursing home residents in Osona, Catalonia: protocol for the OsoNaH project, a multicentre observational study. BMJ Open. 2021 Apr 20;11(4):e041152. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041152.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 10, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 10, 2022
• Study Completion (Anticipated): March 13, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 28, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): March 6, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 10, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 8, 2023
• Last Verified: May 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Urinary incontinence; Older people; Nursing home; Functioning; Sedentary behaviour
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Urologic Diseases; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Urological Manifestations; Urination Disorders; Elimination Disorders; Urinary Incontinence; Enuresis
• Other Study ID Numbers: ONH001

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No