Urinary Incontinence in Adults Author:U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Despite the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), it is widely underdiagnosed and underreported. Two reasons are that many practitioners remain uneducated about this condition and individuals are often too ashamed or embarrassed to seek professional help. Further, there are significant variations in UI diagnostic and treatment practices as w... more »ell as associated medical costs. These factors and statutory criteria prompted the need to develop a guideline for urinary incontinence in adults. A panel of experts used an extensive review of scientific literature as well as expert judgment and group consensus to develop this guideline. Basically, it is a series of recommendations for identifying and evaluating UI; use of behavioral, pharmacologic, and surgical treatment as well as supportive devices; and education of health professionals and the public. The panel found evidence in the literature that the treatment of UI can improve or cure most patients. They concluded that surgery, except in very specific cases, should be considered only after behavioral and pharmacologic interventions have been tried and that vigorous efforts should be made to educate the professional and lay public.« less