ICD-10 Codes
N39.3 Urinary incontinence. N39.4 Other specified kinds of urine incontinence.
24.1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Urinary incontinence is an important medical and social problem both in advance and in developing countries. Urination disorder is a complex, multifactorial, and polynosological problem. In patients with this condition the pathological loss of urine deteriorates the quality of life considerably; sometimes it is referred to as quiet crippler. Loss of bladder control is often combined with pelvic floor incompetence and genital organ prolapse; that is why this theme is included in the Gynecology course.
Definition and Terms
According to the definition by the International Continence Society (ICS), urinary incontinence is observation of involuntary loss of urine on examination, which presents a social and hygienic issue for the patient.
• Stress urinary incontinence is complaint of involuntary loss of urine on effort or physical exertion including sporting activities, or on sneezing or coughing.
• Urgency is complaint of sudden, compelling desire to pass urine which is difficult to defer.
• Mixed urinary incontinence means complaints of both stress and urgency urinary incontinence, i.e. involuntary loss of urine associated with urgency and also with effort or physical exertion including sporting activities or on sneezing or coughing.
Other terms:
• absolute incontinence: absolute inability to defer the urge to pass urine;
• pollakiuria: frequent daytime urination;
• nocturnal enuresis: complaint of involuntary voiding that occurs at night during the main sleep period (i.e. bedwetting);
• hyperactive bladder: clinical syndrome manifesting as frequent urination, nocturnal enuresis, and urgency.