Three-year outcomes of the innovative replacement of incontinence surgery procedure for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: comparison with tension-free vaginal tape procedure

Innovative replacement of incontinence surgery (IRIS) is a polypropylene tape that is placed beneath the midurethra to restore urinary continence. We evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of the IRIS procedure and compared it with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. We included all 66 consecutive women who underwent IRIS (n=34) or TVT (n=32) between February 2002 and April 2003 and followed them up for at least 3 yr postoperatively. The 3-yr success rate was 94.1% for the IRIS and 93.8% for the TVT, and the satisfaction rates were 91.2% and 90.6%, respectively. Intraoperative complications for the IRIS group included 3 cases of bladder perforation, and there were 3 cases of bladder perforation in the TVT group. The postoperative complications for the IRIS group included 2 patients with de novo urgency and one patient with mesh erosion. Three patients with TVT developed de novo urgency. One case of each group showed temporary voiding difficulty. On the basis of our results, the IRIS may be an effective and safe procedure as compared to TVT, with a high success rate and a low complication rate.     

Estrogen and urinary incontinence in women

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of estrogen therapy for urinary incontinence by examining published trials and to review the epidemiologic and physiologic evidence for its action. Data Sources: Controlled and uncontrolled trials of estrogen therapy in the English literature were collected. Eight controlled and 14 uncontrolled trials were identified. Methods of Study Selection: Trials were selected if they were prospective. All types of estrogen treatment were included. All types of outcome measurements were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Trials were categorized by type of estrogen used; outcome variables (subjective improvement vs. objective urodynamic data); and cure/improvement rates. Conclusions: Published trials do not support estrogen replacement as efficacious therapy for stress urinary incontinence. It may be useful for incontinence associated with urgency and frequency. Adequately large controlled trials that evaluate estrogen replacement regimens used in the USA remain to be done.     

女性压力性尿失禁患者盆底肌形态改变的磁共振成像评价

目的 磁共振成像(MRI)技术探讨女性压力性尿失禁(SUI)患者盆底肌形态的改变.方法 自2006年1月至2008年6月间,21例SUI患者(尿失禁组)以及10例正常控尿成年女性(对照组)入组研究.所有对象均分别在平静状态以及屏气用力状态下行盆腔MRI扫描.分析尿失禁组和对照组两种状态下耻骨直肠肌厚度以及肛提肌裂隙面积的变化情况与SUI之间的关系.结果 无论在平静或屏气用力状态下,尿失禁组左、右侧耻骨直肠肌厚度均较对照组薄(均P<0.05).尿失禁组肛提肌裂隙多呈横径增宽的纵向椭圆形,平静状态下裂隙面积较对照组大[(1893.44±218.44)mm2比(1661.86±206.62)mm2,P<0.05].尿失禁组阴道呈"H"形占33.3%(7/21),提示存在阴道侧壁损伤占66.7%(14/21);对照组阴道呈"H"形占80.0%(8/10).尿失禁组阴道侧壁损伤明显高于对照组(P<0.05).结论 女性压力性尿失禁患者左、右侧耻骨直肠肌厚度变薄,肛提肌裂隙明显增大.MRI在评价女性SUI患者的肛提肌形态改变的检测中结果可信,能为临床治疗提供明确信息.     

An ultra-miniinvasive treatment for stress urinary incontinence in complicated older patients

Objective

To evaluate use of bulking agents (polydimethylsiloxane) as an alternative treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in older patients.

Study design

Prospective cohort study.

Main outcome measures

Women with age >75 years old, affected by stress urinary incontinence, presenting to our institution between January 2005 and January 2008 were considered for eligibility in this prospective study. All patients were submitted to transurethral implantation using Macroplastique Implantation System (MIS) (Uroplasty, Minneapolis, Minnesota). Cure of SUI was defined as the resolution of SUI symptoms. Objective cure rate was assessed by urogynecological physical examination and urodynamic assessment performed at 6 and 12 months after surgery respectively. Subjective cure rate was assessed during the interview of the 12th month with a visual analogue scale (VAS) for quantification of SUI severity and a standardized question about the repeatability of the procedure.

Results

A total of 27 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. After 12 months of surgery the objective cure rate was 44% (12 of 27 patients), the improvement rate was 33% (9 of 27) and the failure rate was 22% (6 of 27). The overall success rate was 77% (12 patients cured and 9 improved). 23 (85%) patients would like to repeat this surgical procedure if necessary.

Conclusion

Transurethral implantation of bulking agents should be considered as alternative treatment of SUI in complicated older patients.     

Transdermal estrogen for female stress urinary incontinence in postmenopause

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transdermal estrogen for stress urinary incontinence in postmenopause. Study design: An open within patient, dose-finding study with transdermal 17-β-estradiol combined with cyclic medroxyprogesterone acetate was conducted over 9 months in 21 patients (mean age 57.3 years) suffering from urodynamically verified mild to moderate stress incontinence without detrusor instability. Results: Subjective improvement was noted in 16 out of 21 patients (76%). The dose level of 50 μg was better tolerated than 100 μg and sufficient enough to achieve continence. Conclusion: Transdermal estrogen therapy plays an adjuvant role in conservative therapy for mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women.     

The efficacy and safety of urethral injection therapy for urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different bulking agents for treating urinary incontinence in women, a systematic review including only randomized controlled trials was performed. The subjects were women with urinary incontinence. The primary outcomes were clinical and urodynamic parameters. The results were presented as a weighted mean difference for non-continuous variables and as relative risk for continuous variables, both with 95% confidence intervals. Initially, 942 studies were identified. However, only fourteen eligible trials fulfilled the prerequisites. Altogether, the review included 1814 patients in trials of eight different types of bulking agents, and all studies were described and analyzed. The measured outcomes were evaluated using a large variety of instruments. The most common complications of the bulking agents were urinary retention and urinary tract infection. Additionally, there were certain major complications, such as one case of death after use of autologous fat. However, the lack of adequate studies, the heterogeneous populations studied, the wide variety of materials used and the lack of long-term follow-up limit guidance of practice. To determine which substance is the most suitable, there is a need for more randomized clinical trials that compare existing bulking agents based on standardized clinical outcomes.     

Assessment of symptoms of urinary incontinence in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVES:

The pelvic floor muscles are sensitive to androgens, and due to hyperandrogenism, women with polycystic ovary syndrome can have increased mass in these muscles compared to controls. The aim of this study is to compare reports of urine leakage and quality of life between women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome.

METHODS:

One hundred thirteen 18- to 40-year-old nulliparous women with polycystic ovary syndrome or without the disease (controls) were recruited at the University Hospital of School Medicine of São Paulo University at Ribeirão Preto City, Brazil. The subjects were not taking any hormonal medication, had not undergone previous pelvic surgery and did not exercise their pelvic floor muscles. The women were divided into the following four groups: I- polycystic ovary syndrome with normal body mass index (n = 18), II- polycystic ovary syndrome with body mass index ≥25 (n = 32), III- controls with normal body mass index (n = 29), and IV- controls with Body Mass Index ≥25 (n = 34). Quality of life was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire, and the subjects with urinary complaints also completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form to evaluate the severity of their urinary incontinence.

RESULTS:

The replies to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form revealed a significant difference in urinary function between groups, with 24% of the subjects in group IV reporting urinary incontinence. The mean scores for the SF-36 questionnaire revealed that group II had the lowest quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS:

The control obese group (IV) reported a higher prevalence of urinary incontinence. There was no difference in the reported frequency of urine loss between the polycystic ovary syndrome and control groups with normal body mass index or between the polycystic ovary syndrome and control groups with body mass index ≥25.     

Conservative treatment of urinary incontinence in women with special reference to the use of oestrogens

Urinary incontinence was treated conservatively in 100 patients. The follow-up period was 12–24 mth. For post-menopausal women, the oestrogen therapy consisted of oral oestradiol valerate or vaginal oestrone sulphate combined with emepronium bromide. In post-menopausal patients the best results were noted when incontinence had begun at the menopause and when the duration of the complaint was not more than 3 yr. For pre-menopausal patients, the treatment given was generally emepronium bromide. During the follow-up period 15 of the patients, 11 of whom were post-menopausal, became symptomless and 77 improved; that is, the incontinence was only slight and occasional. The treatment was without any effect in 8 of the patients.

Oestrogen therapy was successful in most post-menopausal women. In these patients, the best results were obtained when the duration of the incontinence was not more than 3 yr.     

Comparison of pelvic floor muscle strength evaluations in nulliparous and primiparous women: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to compare the pelvic floor muscle strength of nulliparous and primiparous women.

METHODS:

A total of 100 women were prospectively distributed into two groups: Group 1 (G1) (n = 50) included healthy nulliparous women, and Group 2 (G2) (n = 50) included healthy primiparous women. Pelvic floor muscle strength was subjectively evaluated using transvaginal digital palpation. Pelvic floor muscle strength was objectively assessed using a portable perineometer. All of the parameters were evaluated simultaneously in G1 and were evaluated in G2 during the 20^th and 36^th weeks of pregnancy and 45 days after delivery.

RESULTS:

In G2, 14 women were excluded because they left the study before the follow-up evaluation. The median age was 23 years in G1 and 22 years in G2; there was no significant difference between the groups. The average body mass index was 21.7 kg/m² in G1 and 25.0 kg/m² in G2; there was a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.0004). In G2, transvaginal digital palpation evaluation showed significant impairments of pelvic floor muscle strength at the 36^th week of pregnancy (p = 0.0006) and 45 days after vaginal delivery (p = 0.0001) compared to G1. Objective evaluations of pelvic floor muscle strength in G2 revealed a significant decrease 45 days after vaginal delivery compared to nulliparous patients.

CONCLUSION:

Pregnancy and vaginal delivery may cause weakness of the pelvic floor muscles.     

Role of proteoglycans in the organization of periurethral connective tissue in women with stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVES: Connective tissue consists of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM) with collagen and elastic fibers, glycoproteins and proteoglycans (PGs) and it is considered an important factor of the supportive structures of the genitourinary region. Since PGs are essential for the organization of the collagen fibrils in the ECM, we investigated the presence of two PGs, fibromodulin and lumican, and of collagen type I in the periurethral connective tissue from women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), compared to asymptomatic controls. METHODS: Thirty-two patients participated in the study and they were divided into four groups: premenopausal incontinents, premenopausal controls, postmenopausal incontinents and postmenopausal controls. All patients underwent gynaecologic surgical procedures and punch biopsies from the periurethral tissue were obtained. Immunohistochemistry for collagen type I, fibromodulin and lumican was performed on the histological slides. RESULTS: In premenopausal incontinents the immunoreactivity for collagen type I was weaker with an irregular distribution compared to premenopausal controls; while for fibromodulin, the staining was stronger in premenopausal incontinents than in premenopausal controls. Between the two postmenopausal groups there was not a significant difference in the intensity of collagen type I and fibromodulin staining that instead were less strong than in premenopausal groups. Lumican staining had the same distribution in the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an altered remodelling of connective tissue in the periurethral region of premenopausal patients with SUI, with a significant decrease of collagen content and an irregular organization and distribution of the collagen fibrils, compared to premenopausal controls. In the SUI patients this abnormal ECM remodelling, mainly related to the observed change in PGs expression, might affect significantly the tensile strength of the connective tissue and consequently the support that is provided by the urogenital suspensory apparatus to urethra and bladder base. Moreover, the significant decrease in collagen type I content in postmenopausal patients respect to premenopausal patients, suggests that age and hormonal factors could contribute to the pathological modifications of the supportive genitourinary connective tissues in the SUI patients.     

Association between urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections, and fractures in postmenopausal women

Objective: The association between urinary disorders, such as ongoing urinary incontinence (UI), history of urinary incontinence (HIST-UI) and urinary tract infactions (UTI), and fractures in peri- and postmenopausal women was assessed in an epidemiological study. Subjects and methods: The sample consisted of 10 000 women from seven birth cohorts, born between 1900 and 1940, who were investigated regarding urinary disorders, fractures and reproductive history by means of a postal questionnaire. Results: The overall response rate was 74.6%. The respondents (n = 7459) represented 53% of the total population from the respective birth cohorts. There was a significant independent correlation between UI, HIST-UI and UTI, respectively, and fractures after the age of 30. In subjects with HIST-UI, tobacco smokers compared to non-smokers had significant more fractures in both the 1930 and 1940 birth cohorts (P < 0.01). Logistic multiple regression in the 1930 and 1940 cohorts demonstrated that age (P < 0.001), HIST-UI (P < 0.001) and tobacco smoking (P < 0.05), respectively, had an independent explanatory value for fractures. Conclusion: The prevalence of fractures increased with increasing age, in smokers compared to non-smokers and in women with a history of UI.     

Efficacy and safety of duloxetine in elderly women with stress urinary incontinence or stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of duloxetine in community-dwelling women > or =65 years with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence (S-MUI) versus placebo. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned for 12 weeks to placebo (N=134) or duloxetine (N=131) (20mg twice daily [BID] for 2 weeks and 40 mg BID for an additional 10 weeks), followed by a double-blind 4-week dose de-escalation/discontinuation phase. The primary efficacy variable was the percent change in incontinence episode frequency (IEF) from baseline to endpoint. Other variables included absolute IEF change, responder rate, changes in mean time between voids (MTBV), weekly continence pad usage, the impact of treatment on quality of life, patient's global impression of improvement (PGI-I), and changes in depression and cognition. RESULTS: Duloxetine-treated patients had a significantly greater decrease from baseline to endpoint in mean IEF/week than placebo-treated patients (-52.47% vs. -36.70%, P<0.001). The IEF responder rate (> or =50% reduction in IEF/week) was 57.1% in the duloxetine group and 35.2% in the placebo group (P<0.001). Significant benefits of duloxetine were also demonstrated for weekly continence pad usage (P=0.011), MTBV (P<0.001), incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL) scores (P<0.001), and PGI-I ratings (P<0.001). Patients with depressive symptoms and cognitive impairments were few and changes were insignificant. The proportion of patients with > or =1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) was similar with both treatments, but dry mouth, fatigue, constipation, and hyperhidrosis were significantly more common in women taking duloxetine. CONCLUSIONS: Duloxetine is a safe and effective treatment for elderly women with symptoms of SUI or S-MUI.     

Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle training, electrical stimulation, vaginal cones, and no active treatment in the management of stress urinary incontinence

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, vaginal cones, and no active treatment in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighteen subjects were randomly selected to receive pelvic floor exercises (n=31), ES (n=30), vaginal cones (n=27), or no treatment (untreated control) (n=30). Women were evaluated before and after completion of six months of treatment by the pad test, quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL), urodynamic test, voiding diary, and subjective response. RESULTS: In the objective evaluation, we observed a statistically significant reduction in the pad test (p=0.003), in the number of stress urinary episodes (p<0.001), and a significant improvement in the quality of life (p<0.001) in subjects who used pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, and vaginal cones compared to the control group. No significant difference was found between groups in the urodynamic parameters. In the subjective evaluation, 58%, 55%, and 54% of women who had used pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, and vaginal cones, respectively, reported being satisfied after treatment. In the control group, only 21% patients were satisfied with the treatment. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, and vaginal cones are equally effective treatments and are far superior to no treatment in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.     

Effects of bladder training and/or tolterodine in female patients with overactive bladder syndrome: a prospective, randomized study

We compared the effects of bladder training and/or tolterodine as first line treatment in female patients with overactive bladder (OAB). One hundred and thirty-nine female patients with OAB were randomized to treatment with bladder training (BT), tolterodine (To, 2 mg twice daily) or both (Co) for 12 weeks. Treatment efficacy was measured by micturition diary, urgency scores and patients' subjective assessment of their bladder condition. Mean frequency and nocturia significantly decreased in all treatment groups, declining 25.9% and 56.1%, respectively, in the BT group; 30.2% and 65.4%, respectively, in the To group; and 33.5% and 66.3%, respectively in the Co group (p<0.05 for each). The decrease in frequency was significantly greater in the Co group than in the BT group (p<0.05). Mean urgency score decreased by 44.8%, 62.2% and 60.2% in the BT, To, and Co groups, respectively, and the improvement was significantly greater in the To and Co groups than in the BT group (p<0.05 for each). Although BT, To and their combination were all effective in controlling OAB symptoms, combination therapy was more effective than either method alone. Tolterodine alone may be instituted as a first-line therapy, but may be more effective when combined with bladder training.     

Lifestyle and health factors associated with stress urinary incontinence in Japanese women

Objectives

Studies focusing on lifestyle and health factors and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are scarce in Japan. The aim of this study is to examine the association of lifestyle and health factors in SUI.

Methods

Study subjects were retrieved from Japanese women participating in a health checkup program provided by a general hospital between October 2003 and March 2006. The presence of SUI was confirmed by responses to a self-administered questionnaire assessing lower urinary tract symptoms. The questionnaire included other questions on lifestyle and health factors. Each subject underwent weight and height measurements.

Results

A total of 823 women completed the questionnaire and were included in the analyses (the response rate was 62.6%). Of them, 70 (8.5%) women had SUI. BMI and parity were significantly positively associated with SUI (OR = 3.47 and 7.17, 95% CI 1.65–7.33 and 1.71–30.04, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for age, parity, and BMI showed that first delivery at age >27 (OR = 1.82, 95% CI 0.97–3.41), past estrogen use (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.14–5.47), and unilateral ovariectomy (OR = 3.07, 95% CI 1.16–8.13) were also significantly associated with SUI.

Conclusions

The data suggested that lifestyle and health factors such as parity, BMI, age at first delivery, past estrogen use, and unilateral ovariectomy were associated with SUI in Japanese women.     

Efficacy and Tolerability of Anticholinergics in Korean Children with Overactive Bladder: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of various anticholinergics in Korean children with non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB). A total of 326 children (males:females= 157:169) aged under 18 yr (mean age 7.3±2.6 yr) who were diagnosed with OAB from 2008 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean duration of OAB symptoms before anticholinergic treatment was 16.9±19.0 months. The mean duration of medication was 5.6±7.3 months. Urgency urinary incontinence episodes per week decreased from 1.9±3.1 to 0.4±1.5 times (P<0.001). The median voiding frequency during daytime was decreased from 9.2±5.4 to 6.3±4.2 times (P<0.001). According to 3-day voiding diaries, the maximum and average bladder capacity were increased from 145.5±66.9 to 196.8±80.3 mL and from 80.8±39.6 to 121.8±56.5 mL, respectively (P<0.001). On uroflowmetry, maximum flow rate was increased from 17.6±8.4 to 20.5±8.2 mL/sec (P<0.001). Adverse effects were reported in 14 (4.3%) children and six children (1.8%) discontinued medication due to adverse effects. Our results indicate that anticholinergics are effective to improve OAB symptoms and tolerability was acceptable without severe complications in children.     

Changes in Sexual Function and Comparison of Questionnaires Following Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse on female sexual function and to assess correlations between the two using two current standardized questionnaires.

Materials and Methods

From October 2009 to September 2010, 143 patients with posterior compartment or combined vaginal prolapse were included. We assessed surgical outcomes according to anatomical change in the vagina and results of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function questionnaire (PISQ-12) both pre- and postoperatively.

Results

Among the 143 preoperative patients, 99 and 84 patients responded to the PISQ-12 and FSFI, respectively. The mean PISQ-12 score increased after surgery (p<0.001). Specifically, postoperative scores for questions 8 and 12 were higher than their respective preoperative scores (p<0.001). Postoperatively, mean FSFI score changed only slightly (p=0.76), and only the score for the satisfaction domain was improved (p=0.023). In regards to vaginal anatomy, vaginal length was significantly greater postoperatively (6.99±0.18 vs. 7.56±1.08, p<0.001), and postoperative vaginal caliber was narrowed to a two-finger width.

Conclusion

In this study, surgery for pelvic organ prolapse was shown to affect female sexual function. Moreover, menopause was associated with a change in postoperative sexual function.     

Occurrence, nature and treatment of urinary incontinence in a 70-year-old female population

An intervention trial using oral oestriol to treat urinary incontinence was performed in a number of patients taken from a representative sample of 562 women aged 75 yr. The clinical series consisted of 34 patients who took part in a double-blind crossover study of the possible effects of oestriol, given in a single daily dose of 3 mg, and of a placebo over a period of 3 mth. The clinical examinations included bacteriological cultures and an assessment of the degree of atrophy of the surface membranes in the vagina. In most patients, oestriol was effective in reversing the atrophy. The clinical effect was excellent in urgency and mixed incontinence, but not in stress incontinence.     

抗凝血酶-Ⅲ检测在慢性肾小球肾炎与泌尿系感染中的比较分析

目的 通过抗凝血酶Ⅲ(AT-Ⅲ)的检测,探讨其在慢性肾小球肾炎和泌尿系感染患者中的诊断价值.方法 采用内蒙古自治区人民医院确诊的慢性肾小球肾炎患者、泌尿系感染患者和健康体检者各126例抗凝全血标本,按说明操作CS-5100凝血分析仪,测定三组标本AT-Ⅲ数据.结果 确诊的各126例慢性肾小球肾炎和泌尿系感染抗凝全血标本的AT-Ⅲ检测结果经t检验分析表明,慢性肾小球肾炎组与泌尿系感染组、对照组AT-Ⅲ检测结果比较在统计学上均存在差异(t=7.331,P＜0.05;t=7.297,P ＜0.05);而泌尿系感染组与对照组AT-Ⅲ检测结果差异无统计学意义(t=1.216,P＞0.05).结论 AT-Ⅲ的检测在慢性肾小球肾炎组中具有一定的临床诊断意义.     

Management of urinary tract infection in patients with spinal cord injuries

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is responsible for major morbidity and mortality in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Several factors appear to be responsible for an increased risk of infection in the neurogenic bladder. Incomplete voiding, elevated intravesical pressure and catheter use contribute to an increased risk of symptomatic urinary tract infection. Frequent exposure to antibiotics increases the risk of infection by resistant organisms. UTIs interfere with rehabilitation, and may lead to secondary urologic complications. The classic symptoms of UTI are unreliable indicators in SCI patients with neurogenic bladder. Lack of pyuria reasonably predicts the absence of UTI in SCI patients. Asymptomatic bacteriuria need not be treated with antibiotics. Symptomatic UTI warrants therapy in all patients.