Prevalencia de la Incontinencia Urinaria en Deportistas Femeninas de Alto Impacto Mediante la Escala IIQ-7. Cuenca, Septiembre 2025 - Febrero 2026

Abstract

Background: It is estimated that 25.9% of high-impact female athletes suffer from urinary incontinence caused by increased intra-abdominal pressure during exercise, which compromises the athletic performance and quality of life of the women affected. However, this condition continues to be a taboo subject that limits medical care, affecting the physical, emotional, and social well-being of those who suffer from it. In Ecuador, evidence on this issue is scarce. Objective: To determine the prevalence of UI in high-impact female athletes using the IIQ-7 scale. Cuenca, September 2025 - February 2026. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 94 high-impact female athletes. A questionnaire was administered with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and the IIQ-7 scale to assess the psychosocial impact of UI in women. Variables such as type of sport, age, quality of life, and obstetric history were analyzed. Data processing was performed with SPSS v26, applying descriptive statistics and correlational analysis. Results: A prevalence of 37.2% of UI was identified, with women between the ages of 18 and 28 standing out. However, no relevant relationship was found with the impact on the quality of life of these women. Conclusions: The prevalence of UI was representative, so it is important to recognize the symptoms and their causes, because although it has not affected quality of life, future complications should be avoided.