Association between intrinsic capacity and urinary incontinence in community-dwelling octogenarians: Results from the ilSIRENTE study

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is common in older adults. The construct of intrinsic capacity (IC) provides a multidimensional framework to assess functional reserves. This cross-sectional study examined the association between IC and UI in community-dwelling octogenarians from the Ageing and Longevity in the Sirente (ilSIRENTE) study. METHODS: IC was computed as the mean of standardized (0-100) scores across five domains (locomotion, cognition, vitality, psychological well-being, and sensory function) derived from Minimum Data Set for Home Care (MDS-HC) instruments and supplementary tests. UI was defined as a score of 3 or more on MDS-HC item I1. Associations between IC and UI were examined using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Restricted cubic splines tested linearity. RESULTS: Among 320 participants (median age 83.9 years [81.7-88.5]; 67.2% women), 35 (10.9%) had UI. Incontinent individuals had a lower total IC score (60.2 [51.5-69.7] vs. 85.2 [76.1-92.7]; p < 0.001) and lower scores in the locomotion, cognition, vitality, psychological well-being, and sensory domains. In fully adjusted models, higher IC score was associated with lower odds of UI (per 10-point increase: OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.24-0.48). High IC score was associated with markedly lower odds of UI compared with low IC score (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.02-0.20). Restricted cubic spline analyses supported linearity (p for non-linearity = 0.701). CONCLUSIONS: Lower IC scores were associated with higher odds of UI, particularly in locomotion, cognition, vitality, and sensory domains. These findings support UI as a marker of multidimensional vulnerability and highlight the value of IC-oriented assessment to guide multidomain interventions in geriatric care.