Childhood Stress Urinary Incontinence in High-Impact Gymnasts: Does it Affect Their Future Risk of Adult Stress Urinary Incontinence?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-10-2025
Publication Title
International urogynecology journal
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is common among high-impact athletes and can be experienced with high-impact activity during childhood. We sought to identify whether leakage experienced during gymnastics training before age 18 impacts future SUI.
METHODS: An observational cohort study was performed. Current and former competitive gymnasts 18 years or older were queried by a survey disseminated via Facebook starting 1 September through November 2024. The survey was composed of a nonvalidated portion that inquired regarding the conditions under which participants experienced incontinence before and after age 18. The validated Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) assessed current voiding symptoms. Chi-squared evaluated significance between childhood and adult SUI. Univariate and multivariate linear regression identified patient characteristics associated with increasing UDI-6 scores.
RESULTS: A total of 146 people responded to the survey, with 126 complete responses. Participants ranged from 18 to 65 years of age. Among the 64 (50.8%) who experienced SUI with gymnastics under 18 years, 54 (84.4%) experienced SUI as adults. In contrast, 32 (51.6%) of participants who did not experience SUI under 18 years experienced SUI as adults (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that SUI with gymnastics training under age 18 was associated with increasing weighted UDI-6 scaled score (p < 0.04), particularly in the stress domain (p < 0.001). BMI was also associated with increasing UDI-6 scaled score (p = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: High-impact athletes who experience SUI with training under age 18 are more likely to experience SUI as adults. Earlier recognition of SUI during high-impact activities could ultimately improve patients' long-term quality of life.
Recommended Citation
Buford K, Grajeda S, Zwaans BMM, Padmanabhan P. Childhood stress urinary incontinence in high-impact gymnasts: Does it affect their future risk of adult stress urinary incontinence? Int Urogynecol J. 2025 Nov 10. doi: 10.1007/s00192-025-06330-8. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41212194.
DOI
10.1007/s00192-025-06330-8
ISSN
1433-3023
PubMed ID
41212194