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The subjective assessment of urine loss in 84 incontinent women was quantified by using a 10-cm visual analogue scale. These results were compared with the results of a 2-h pad weighing test. We found no relationship between a patient's subjective impression of the severity of her incontinence and the corresponding objective assessment by a 2-h pad weighing test.
Eighty six children with neuropathic urinary incontinence who had been treated by clean intermittent catheterisation for more than five years were reviewed. Eighty five had congenital lesions, and one traumatic paraplegia. During the day, 72 (84%) patients were dry or had minor stress incontinence only, 11 were damp but controlled with pads, and only three were continuously wet. Eleven abandoned clean intermittent catheterisation, five because of poor control, four by choice despite good control, and only two because of deterioration of upper urinary tract disease. Most of them usually had bacteriuria, but only 32 developed occasional symptomatic infections. Urinary calculi occurred in six, epididymitis in three, and urethral problems in four. Upper urinary tract dilatation did not arise in a previously normal renal system in any patient during clean intermittent catheterisation. Clean intermittent catheterisation was successful in controlling wetting with few serious complications, and was well tolerated. It remains the method of choice for the management of neuropathic urinary incontinence in such children.
Incontinence can be a devastating problem to many individuals. It is embarrassing and limiting socially, and prevents those with the problem from going about their day-to-day activities. People adopt coping strategies to manage the problem and those with urinary incontinence often look for containment products such as disposable pads or nappy-style products. These products have been developed using different absorbent materials and are accessible to sufferers in local supermarkets. Absorbency of the products has improved so that once wetted, they hold urine more easily. However, the same cannot be said for faecal incontinence management products and there are few that can be called upon to manage this devastating condition. The Peristeen Anal Plug, developed originally as the Conveen Anal Plug, stands alone in the search for a device to manage faecal incontinence or leakage.
PURPOSE: The use of nonabsorbable synthetic material has been questioned due to reports of erosion and infection. We present the 5-year followup outcome of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treated using polypropylene mesh as a pubovaginal sling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 58 consecutive patients who underwent pubovaginal sling procedures using polypropylene mesh since April 1996 for types II and III SUI at our institution. The technique included a single midline anterior vaginal wall incision with full-thickness flaps. Broad based polypropylene mesh was used to support the vesicourethral junction entering the retropubic space through the endopelvic fascia and bone anchors were used for fixation. Patient satisfaction was evaluated during followup office visits and/or telephone interview by an individual not involved in any surgeries. All procedure failures were evaluated by urodynamics. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients 49 were available for analysis. Average followup was 59.34 months (range 29 to 77). Of the 49 patients 40 (81.63%) were dry and 2 (4.08%) improved (1 pad daily). De novo urgency and urgency related incontinence was reported in 1 case each. Three patients (8.16%) had recurrent SUI, while prolonged retention developed with subsequent urethrolysis required in 2 (4.08%). None of the patients have experienced infection, nonhealing or erosion of the synthetic slings to date. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience polypropylene mesh used as a broad based tension-free sling was successful for treating all types of SUI. In our opinion technique and case selection have a bearing on outcomes.
The reported success rates of the modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension vary from 51 to 90%. Retrospective chart review studies have reported cure rates of 77 to 90%. In contrast, a questionnaire based outcomes analysis, using a strict definition of cure, reported 51% of the patients to be cured of stress urinary incontinence after modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension. We conducted a questionnaire based outcomes analysis of the modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension at our institution. The objectives of the study were to determine the success rates of this procedure using strict criteria in an outcomes analysis format, assess the overall satisfaction of patients postoperatively and identify historical factors that may be predictive of outcome. Between September 1988 and December 1991, 151 patients underwent a modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension for urodynamically documented genuine stress urinary incontinence. Mean patient age was 56 years (range 19 to 82 years) and mean followup was 25 months (range 9 to 45). All patients had type 2 incontinence (anatomical) based on history (severity of symptoms), physical examination, and fluoroscopic assessment of the bladder neck and urethra. Preoperative pad use, and irritative and obstructive symptoms were retrospectively assessed, and a preoperative Stamey incontinence score was assigned. A standardized questionnaire was used to compare preoperative and postoperative voiding symptoms, perception of urinary control and satisfaction with the decision to undergo an operation. Followup telephone calls were made by a trained registered nurse not associated with the original procedure. Postoperative pad use also was quantified and a postoperative Stamey score was assigned. A total of 106 patients (70%) returned the questionnaires. Cure was strictly defined as no urine leakage under any circumstance. While 78% of the patients required no to minimal protection postoperatively, 50 (47%) reported cure of the stress urinary incontinence, 68 (64%) reported subjective improvement, 27 (26%) were the same and 11 (10%) were subjectively worse after modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension. Of the patients 77% were satisfied with the decision to undergo the operation. Patients subjectively worse were significantly older than those subjectively improved (66 versus 54 years, p = 0.05). Postoperative failures had significantly higher obstructive and irritative symptom scores. Questionnaire based outcomes analysis has consistently demonstrated success rates less than those reported in retrospective chart review studies. Outcomes analysis, based on patient assessment of satisfaction, may more accurately reflect the expected surgical outcome after a modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension. We emphasize the need for standardized questionnaires and outcomes analysis to evaluate patient satisfaction with surgery designed to improve quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence, typology, and experience of urinary incontinence, as well as the available therapeutic modalities and information sources among people living at home in Belgium. METHODS: A representative population sample of 5,269 adults completed a questionnaire in their own homes. There were 2,499 men and 2,770 women aged 30 years and over. RESULTS: 130 men (5.2%) and 442 women (16.30%) had urinary incontinence at the time of the survey. Of 1,426 women aged over 50 years, 300 (21.0%) had urinary incontinence. 17.4% of the incontinent people experience several episodes daily. In women, incontinence increases with parity. Stress incontinence is by far the most common form of the disease (42%); 53% of incontinent women (9.9% of the female population) experience this kind of disorder. Overall, 95% of stress incontinent people are women. The relative frequency of urge incontinence is similar in both sexes (males 45%; females 55%). Urinary incontinence is considered as bothersome by about 30% of the affected subjects; 7 of 10 subjects with daily incontinence episodes consider the disorder as more or less bothersome. 29.9% of affected people report that they discuss the problem with their general practitioner, 11.4% with a specialist, 25.3% with their spouse or partner, and 17.4% with a family member. Of course, people who consider the disease as bothersome score higher on these items. On the other hand, 32.1% do not reveal the problem. Although 72.5% of incontinent people are aware of protection systems, the main therapeutic modalities are not very well known (drugs 33.9%; surgery 24.7%). Most people with incontinence (70-75%) take no specific measures, 20% use pads, panty liners or nappies, and only 9% look for a curative measure. The preferred information source is the family physician for 50%, the specialist physician for 11%, and the pharmacist for 9%. The role of the mass media is equivalent to that of specialist physicians and pharmacists. CONCLUSIONS: Incontinence has a profound effect on daily life, and is still considered by many as 'taboo'. An appropriate information system, in which the general practitioner plays a key role, is obviously desirable.
PURPOSE: Female patients with severe urethral incompetence are a unique surgical challenge. Urethral closure and continent diversion are often the next step in the treatment of these patients. We present a technique that provides circumferential coaptation of the urethra as a salvage procedure in this severe subset of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 47 patients who had a spiral sling. A 1 x 15 cm piece of soft polypropylene mesh was prepared with a zero polyglactin suture applied at each end. A clamp was used to pass the mesh between the urethra and pubis. The ends of the mesh were crossed at the ventral aspect of the urethra, creating a complete circle around the urethra. The sutures were transferred to the suprapubic area and tied without tension. The surgical outcome was determined by patient self-assessment, including symptom, bother and quality of life questionnaires. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 59 years. At presentation patients had undergone a mean of 2.6 incontinence procedures and wore a mean of 6 pads daily. Mean daily pad use decreased to 0.9 (p <0.005). Preoperatively mean SUI symptom severity and bother scores were 2.8 and 2.9, respectively, on a scale of 0--none to 3--severe. Postoperatively these values decreased to 0.6 and 0.4, respectively (each p <0.005). There was a mean 87% overall improvement in symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The spiral sling is an effective salvage transvaginal procedure that may be considered in a small subset of female patients with a nonfunctional urethra as a last resort before urethral closure procedures.
In a prospective long-term study 49 women with stress incontinence and ISD (intrinsic sphincter deficiency) were followed for a mean of 4 years (range 3-5) after TVT operation. Preoperatively all patients underwent urodynamic investigations, quality of life evaluation, a 24-hour pad test and a gynecologic examination to properly verify the incontinence symptoms. The same protocol was used for postoperative evaluation. The mean age of the women was 66 years (+/- 11) and mean parity 2 (range 0-4). A standard TVT operation was performed under local anesthesia. At the postoperative evaluations 36 patients (74%) were completely cured of their incontinence problems. In addition, 6 women (12%) were significantly improved. In 7 patients (14%) no improvement was found. The majority of these not cured patients were >70 years of age and had urethral resting pressure of <10 cmH2O. Few intra- and postoperative complications occurred. It is concluded that TVT can be used for surgical treatment of patients with ISD and stress incontinence. However, older patients (>70 years) with a very low resting urethral pressure and an immobile urethra seem to constitute a risk group where TVT surgery is less successful.
BACKGROUND: To assess the validity of the Spanish version of the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) for measuring the quality of life of women with different types of urinary incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 77 women with urinary stress incontinence (USI), 51 with urge incontinence (UUI) and 34 with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) were consecutively recruited. Subjects were diagnosed using urodynamic tests. Patients completed the KHQ and SF-36 questionnaires on inclusion in the study, after 15 days, and again after one month. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in socio-demographic and QOL characteristics between different UI groups. UUI and MUI patients had greater urinary frequency and urge than USI patients, and USI and MUI patients had a greater number of leakage episodes than UUI patients. Correlations between dimensions on the KHQ and the SF-36 were moderate to strong. Women with greater urinary frequency, greater urgency, more incontinence episodes during the week and who used pads and nappies perceived a worse quality of life. Changes in these variables correlated with changes in HRQOL. The internal consistency of dimensions was good (0.65-0.92) as was test-retest reliability (0.68-0.88). Dimensions most sensitive to change after one month of treatment were impact of UI, seriousness of UI, and the symptoms scale (effect size greater than 0.6). CONCLUSION: The KHQ is a valid instrument for measuring the quality of life of patients with different types of UI. Improvements in urinary frequency, urinary urgency, number of leakage episodes, and changes in the type of protective material produces an increase in HRQOL.
A consecutive series of 59 women with urodynamic stress incontinence but no prolapse were offered treatment with Contiform (available in small/medium/large sizes). The 24-h pad test was the primary outcome measure. Of the 59 enrolled women, 41 (69%) completed the trial protocol. Median use was 21 days (IQR 10-24.5). Two severity groups were categorized based on pretreatment pad testing (mild <30 g/day n=24 patients, 59%) and moderate/severe >30 g/day, n= 17(41%). Overall, loss was reduced by a median of 72% (5-92), p<0.0001, with the greatest reduction seen in the moderate/severe group of 85% (75-100) p<0.0001. No significant benefit on pad testing was noted in the mild group. Both groups showed significant benefit on the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire. The insertion technique was quickly learnt and the device well tolerated. A medium-sized Contiform was used by 33 (80%) women. No serious adverse events occurred.
Urinary continence following an anatomical approach to radical prostatectomy was evaluated in 593 consecutive patients, 547 (92%) of whom achieved complete urinary control. Stress incontinence was present in 46 patients (8%), of whom 34 (6%) wore 1 or fewer pads per day and 2 (0.3%) required placement of an artificial sphincter. No patient was totally incontinent. Age, weight of the prostate, prior transurethral resection of the prostate, pathological stage and preservation or wide excision of the neurovascular bundles had no significant influence on preservation of urinary control. These data suggest that anatomical factors rather than preservation of autonomic innervation may be responsible for the improved urinary control associated with an anatomical approach to radical prostatectomy.
Devices and products to contain or collect the urine are part of the management of bladder dysfunction, particularly urinary incontinence (UI) (Newman, Bliss, & Fader, in press). The aim of continence nurse experts and those who care for incontinent individuals during the past decade has been to greatly decrease the indiscriminate use of absorbent pads and garments, external collecting devices, and indwelling catheterization, through the successful treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) with behavioral interventions, drug therapies, and new surgical procedures. However, these products and devices can be beneficial for persons who are elderly, fail treatment and remain incontinent, who are too ill or disabled to participate in behavioral programs, who cannot be helped by medications, or who have a type of UI that cannot be alleviated by other interventions (Newman, 2003). The judicious use of products to contain urine loss and maintain skin integrity is a first-line defense for these patients (Fantl et al., 1996). Urinary collection devices and products that are appropriate for elderly patients, that are used by nurses in all clinical settings, and are available at local pharmacies, retail stores, medical equipment dealers or directly from manufacturers are discussed.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a flexible-dosing strategy with darifenacin, an M(3)-selective receptor antagonist, in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicentre double-blind 12-week study, 395 patients (aged 22-89 years; 84% female) with OAB symptoms for >6 months were randomized (2 : 1) and received once-daily treatment with darifenacin controlled-release tablets 7.5 mg (268 patients) or matching placebo (127). After 2 weeks of treatment, the efficacy, safety and tolerability were assessed and the dose increased to 15 mg once daily (pseudo-increase for placebo recipients) if additional efficacy was required by both the patient and physician. In the week before clinic visits (at 2 and 12 weeks), patients recorded incontinence episodes (primary efficacy endpoint) and several secondary efficacy variables in an electronic daily diary. Safety and tolerability were evaluated from withdrawal rates and adverse-event reports. RESULTS: The treatment groups had comparable baseline characteristics. Similar proportions of darifenacin (59%) and placebo (68%) recipients increased the dose at 2 weeks; at 12 weeks patients on darifenacin (overall group) had a significantly greater reduction in the median number of incontinence episodes per week than had those on placebo, at - 8.2 (-62.9%) and - 6.0 (-48.1%), respectively (P = 0.035). There were also significant improvements in voiding frequency (P = 0.001), bladder capacity (volume voided; P = 0.036), frequency of urgency (P < 0.001), severity of urgency (P = 0.013) and number of significant leaks/week (i.e. incontinence episodes needing a change of clothing or pads, per week; P = 0.010) for darifenacin over placebo. Subset analysis suggested that some patients (those remaining on darifenacin 7.5 mg) were more sensitive to darifenacin than those who increased the dose, based on both efficacy and adverse events. Continued treatment with 7.5 mg for 'sensitive' patients, and an increased dose (to 15 mg) for remaining patients, resulted in comparable outcomes by 12 weeks. The most common treatment-related adverse events were mild-to-moderate dry mouth and constipation, which led to discontinuation in < 3.0% of darifenacin-treated patients and < 1.0% of the placebo group. Central nervous system and cardiovascular adverse events were comparable to those with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Darifenacin appears to be an effective, well-tolerated and flexible treatment for patients with OAB, allowing individualized dosing according to patient needs.
The efficacy of a new external anti-incontinence device in patients with a videourodynamic diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence (GSI) in an open longitudinal study is reported. Fourteen women with GSI underwent assessment before and after 3-4 weeks of device use. Assessment consisted of visual analog scores (VAS), quality of life (QOL) questionnaires, urine for culture and a 1 hour pad test. VAS scores showed a significant improvement for the symptom of stress incontinence (P<0.05). QOL scores improved significantly by 38% (P<0.05) and 29% (P<0.01) for the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and Urogenital Distress Inventory, respectively. The mean pad weight decreased by 47% (P=0.056). Of the 9 women who had a positive pad test (>2 g) without the device, 5 were dry (<2 g) with the device (P<0.05). These preliminary data suggest that this device is effective in women with GSI.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate all disposable pull-up-style pads (pull-ups) designed for children with learning and or physical disabilities and compare these with a representative sample of disposable diapers (diapers). DESIGN: A multicenter randomized crossover trial where all children evaluated each product. SETTING AND CHILDREN: A total of 61 community dwelling children with disabilities were recruited from 5 areas throughout the United Kingdom. Families were invited by letter to participate through their local clinical nurse specialist for continence care. INSTRUMENTS: Instruments used included a range of questionnaires (product performance, design performance, and design preference questionnaires) and pad weight and leakage diaries. METHODS: The children tested 10 products (5 pull-ups and 5 diapers) for up to 1 week per product both at home and at school. Caregivers (parents and guardians) completed the questionnaires after evaluation of individual products and design groups had been completed. They recorded wet product weights and scored pad leakage at each pad change. School staff completed an abbreviated product performance questionnaire for each product. RESULTS: There was little difference in the overall performance of the pull-ups compared with the diapers. In the pull-up group, one product performed significantly worse than the others for some performance aspects. Pull-ups worked particularly well for children able to assist with toileting and pad changes. Diapers were liked for ease of changing if the child used calipers, adapted footwear, or trousers. Diapers were more popular than pull-ups for night use, when greater absorbency was required. Neither design performed differently for school or home use. Most caregivers expressed a preference for diapers or pull-ups based on a range of individual needs, for example, level of independence in toileting, discreteness in pad change, fit, and product appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Diapers and pull-ups have different strengths and limitations, and both meet the specific needs of individual children. Although pull-ups are more expensive than diapers, their use is justified if based on a thorough assessment of individual need.
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) surgery combined with gynecologic surgery using general anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred and six women with genuine stress incontinence (GSI) diagnosed with a traditional urodynamic examination were prospectively enrolled into this study. All of the 106 women underwent TVT surgery for the treatment of GSI, along with a concomitant hysterectomy procedure, under general anesthesia. We estimated the severity of incontinence symptoms on a visual analog scale (VAS), and used a questionnaire for subjective assessment before and after TVT surgery. The objective assessment of urinary incontinence was carried out with a 1-h pad test and traditional urodynamic examination. Of the 106 patients, 50 had uterine prolapse and underwent transvaginal hysterectomy and anteroposterior colporrhaphy (APC), and another 50 had uterine myoma and underwent laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). RESULTS: The follow-up mean interval was 18 months (range 12-36 months). The 50 women undergoing LAVH and TVT surgery had a mean hospitalization of 3.5 days. The subjective success rate was 90.5% and the objective success rate was 86.8%. The other group of 50 women undergoing vaginal total hysterectomy (VTH), APC and TVT surgery had a mean hospitalization of 4.8 days. The subjective success rate was 88.6% and the objective success rate was 84.9%. There were six patients lost to follow-up for several reasons. The rates of complications of bladder perforation, postoperative voiding difficulty and postoperative urinary urgency were 2%, 11% and 10%, respectively; neither pelvic hematoma requiring blood transfusion nor conversion to laparotomy occurred. CONCLUSION: The results of this study prove that the TVT procedure, performed under general anesthesia without the need for the intraoperative cough provocation test to treat GSI, and carried out concomitantly with other gynecologic surgeries, is safe and effective.
The aim of this study was to use the previously validated Dowell Bryant Incontinence Cost Index (DBICI) as a post-treatment outcome measure after non-surgical therapy and to determine whether the magnitude of reduced leakage would correlate with the magnitude of reduced personal cost. A simple urethral occlusive device (Femassist) was employed in 57 women with stress, urge, or mixed incontinence for 1 month. The DBICI was administered at baseline and after device use, along with a visual analogue scale (VAS) for severity of incontinence impact, a 3-day frequency volume chart (FVC) that documented leaks per 24 hours and pad usage, a 1-hour ICS pad test at standard volume, and two disease-specific quality of life measures (Urogenital Distress Inventory [UDI] and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire [IIQ]). The severity of leakage was significantly reduced on all parameters, and the median personal costs of incontinence fell from AU$6.52 per week (IQR 1.50-10.59) to a median of AU$ 1.57 per week (IQR 0-4.89). A significant correlation (Kendall's rank, tau) was observed between reduction in personal costs and reduction in VAS (tau = 0.24, P= 0.01), leaks/day (tau = 0.20, P = 0.03), pad test loss (tau = 0.29, P = 0.002), and quality of life scores (UDI, tau = 0.23, P = 0.01; IIQ, tau = 0.26, P = 0.005). The personal costs subset of the DBICI appears to be a useful outcome measure for urinary incontinence research and could be widely employed to assess the impact of continence treatments on the patient's economic burden.
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the extent to which self-care practices are employed by older adults with urinary incontinence (UI); to determine how demographic and functional status measures are associated with self-care practice use; and to explore the relationship between contacting a doctor and disposable pad use. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of a national probability sample using multiple logistic regression. SETTING: Responses of subjects with UI (n = 787) from the 1993-1994 National Follow-up Survey on Self-Care and Aging, a follow-up survey of older Medicare beneficiaries living in the community within the contiguous United States drawn in 1990-1991 MEASURES: Subject responses about UI, fecal incontinence, dressing, eating, bathing, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Mobility Activities of Daily Living (MADL), age, gender, place of residence, race, education, proxy response to the survey, and self-reported medical conditions. RESULTS: Self-care practices used by more than 25% of respondents with UI included using disposable pads, limiting trips, and limiting fluids. Among older adults with incontinence, more women used disposable pads (44.5%; 95% CI, 36.9-52.1) and performed exercises (14.2%; 95% CI, 9.7-18.9) than did men (15.1%; 95% CI, 8.1-22.1; and 4.3%; 95% CI, 1.0-7.7, respectively). Bi-variate analysis showed respondents with severe UI or fecal incontinence reported greater use of self-care practices. In multivariate models of the three most commonly used self-care practices, measures of UI severity were not always associated independently with self-care practice use, whereas ADL measures of functional status were. Disposable pad use was positively independently associated (OR 3.36; 95% CI, 2.01-5.63) in multivariate models with contacting a doctor about incontinence, even after controlling for age, gender, demographics, and self-reported medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Use by older adults of self-care practices to manage urinary incontinence is predicted independently in multivariate models by measures of functional status such as dressing, eating, bathing, IADLs or MADLs, but not by all UI measures. Disposable pad users had increased odds of contacting a doctor, suggesting that self-care practices and formal medical care are not always inversely related.