Literature review aimed to identify associations between urinary incontinence in women and racial aspects. We used the databases MEDLINE and LILACS for research articles published in the years 2003 to 2010. It were analyzed 30 publications that indicated different relationships between incontinence and race. The prevalence of incontinence was higher among white women. The stress urinary incontinence was more common among white and urgency among black. White and Asian have urinary leakage in small quantity compared to black and Hispanic. The impact on quality oh life was more related to the severity of urinary loss and other factors, rather than specifically to the issue of race. White had better knowledge about incontinence and more frequently underwent surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence. White and Hispanic had higher risk of urinary incontinence than black and Asian. It is emphasized the need for Brazilian studies so that data may be adequate to our reality.
Urinary incontinence; Ethnicity and health; Women's health
