Urinary incontinence in US adults aged ≥55 years with type 2 diabetes and indications for SGLT2is: National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2020
Authors' conclusion
Frequent urinary incontinence affects >15% of men and >40% of women aged ≥55 years with guideline indications for SGLT2i. Studies are needed to determine if incontinence increases risk of genital infections when initiating SGLT2is.
Study context
- Population
- NHANES participants aged ≥55 with T2D, 2013–2020; indications for SGLT2i per ADA guideline (HF or CKD; or atherosclerotic CVD or high cardiovascular risk)representing 16.0 million US adults
- Participants
- 1,726 participants
- Outcome
- Frequent urinary incontinence (self-reported leaking urine daily/nightly or a few times per week) among adults meeting guideline indications for SGLT2i
Methodological detailsNHANES 2013–2020
- NHANES 2013–2020
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Frequent urinary incontinence among those with indications for an SGLT2i specifically
Frequent urinary incontinence, indications for SGLT2i specifically (95% CI 25.9% to 39.8%); representing 333 000 men and 685 000 women
32.4%
Frequent urinary incontinence, indications for either SGLT2i or GLP-1 RA (95% CI 20.8% to 30.8%); representing 630 000 men and 1413 000 women
25.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Met indications for an SGLT2i specifically
- 19.6% (95% CI 17.3% to 22.2%; 3.1 million)
- Met indications for either SGLT2i or GLP-1 RA
- 50.9% (95% CI 47.2% to 54.7%; 8.2 million)
Original publication
Urinary incontinence in US adults aged ≥55 years with type 2 diabetes and indications for SGLT2is: NHANES 2013–2020. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. Published 31 July 2025. doi:10.
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