In a US population–based cohort of 425 adults with validated systemic lupus erythematosus, more than one-third reported urinary incontinence occurring at least monthly, including 17% of those aged 18 to 34 years, highlighting that this symptom is not confined to older patients. Higher lupus disease activity was independently associated with nearly threefold higher odds of urinary incontinence, particularly mixed-type symptoms, while neuropsychiatric damage was associated with more than twofold higher odds. Urinary incontinence was frequently bothersome, often occurred weekly or more, and was associated with meaningful functional impairment, yet remains underrecognized and potentially underreported in routine lupus care.

Source: ACR Open Rheumatology