P155 Prevalence of urinary incontinence within a difficult asthma population

Background Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common, but under-reported comorbidity of many chronic respiratory conditions. Its prevalence can be associated with symptoms of coughing causing stress incontinence leading to an increased symptom burden. To provide holistic care, it is important that patients are asked about their continence status on assessment and appropriate follow on care provided. Aim To demonstrate the prevalence of urinary incontinence within the Difficult Asthma population and the impact this has on disease burden. Method A retrospective service evaluation (Barts CEU ref: 10342) was conducted of patients’ response to questions on continence status whilst undergoing a severe asthma assessment in the difficult asthma service. Patient’s responses were compared with their ACQ6 scores as a measure of asthma control and EQ-5D-5L as a measure of health-related quality of life. Results 103 consecutive patients (70% female, mean (SD) age 50.1 (13.8) years) undergoing specialist physiotherapy review were included. 47 (45.6% of patients, 96% female) reported urinary incontinence with significant association between gender and UI (chi-squared test, p Discussion UI is highly prevalent in the female severe asthma population and associated with increasing symptom burden. A raised ACQ6 score is indicative of poor asthma control which could potentially lead to increased cough frequency exacerbating stress UI. Further work is required to identify if UI worsens with poor ACQ6 scores as a result of cough symptoms, or if this is an independent factor. Appropriate questioning of patients and onward referral is important for holistic care.