Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women

Stress urinary incontinence is a common problem with 13.6% of women requiring surgery for it in their lifetime. Surgical treatments either create suburethral support or augment urethral closure. Colposuspensions and autologous rectus fascial slings are effective first-line surgical options. The use of midurethral tapes is currently suspended due to concerns with chronic pelvic and vaginal pain.     

Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women

Stress urinary incontinence is a common problem with 13.6% of women requiring surgery for it in their lifetime. Surgical treatments either create suburethral support or augment urethral closure. Colposuspensions and autologous rectus fascial slings are effective first-line surgical options. The use of midurethral tapes is currently suspended due to concerns with chronic pelvic and vaginal pain.     

压力性尿失禁初始发病时间分析

目的：对女性压力性尿失禁初始发病时间进行探讨，以便采取预防措施。方法：对我院2000年12月-2003年2月期间就诊的全部408例女性压力性尿失禁病例的初始发病时间做回顾性分析。结果：初始发病在分娩后12个月内者为166例，占40．69％，初始发病在更年期或绝经后2年者为115例，占28．19％。结论：分娩后12个月内及更年期或绝经后2年为患者初始发病比较集中的两个时期，应加强这两个时期的妇女保健。     

The efficacy of venlafaxine in the treatment of women with stress urinary incontinence

Objective  To examine the efficacy of venlafaxine, which is used as an antidepressant, in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Materials and methods  The study was designed as a placebo-controlled, double-blind and randomized clinical study. Patients in Group 1 (n = 20) were administered 75 mg venlafaxine, those in Group 2 (n = 20) were administered placebo for 12 weeks. All the cases were evaluated in terms of weekly incontinence episode frequency (IEF), change in void interval (VI), the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) in weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. Additionally, PGI-S was assessed at baseline and was followed by PGI-I evaluations in weeks 4, 8 and 12. Results  Evaluations in weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12 did not show any significant difference in IEF, VI, IQOL and PGI-I values of placebo group (p > 0.05). However, in the patients who were administered venlafaxine declines in IEF and PGI-I values as well as the elevations in VI and IQOL scores showed significant changes parallel to the increasing follow-up period (p < 0.05). Nausea was observed in 40% of cases in venlafaxine group, and 15% of those in placebo group (p < 0.05). Conclusion  It was seen in our study that efficacy of venlafaxine started early and the clinical efficacy associated with the use of the drug continued in the following months. Venlafaxine should be considered a clinically efficient alternative drug in the treatment of SUI.     

Outcome of midurethral tape continence surgery in patients with and without urodynamically confirmed stress incontinence

Objective

To compare the outcomes of midurethral tape continence surgery in patients with urodynamically confirmed stress incontinence (USI) and patients with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence but normal urodynamic studies (NUDS) and a positive 1-h pad test.

Study design

Analysis of data collected prospectively from 356 women who underwent tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) surgery from June 1998 to September 2009. There were 25 women with NUDS but a positive pad test. Outcome measures in these 25 women were compared with 65 women with urodynamically confirmed stress incontinence. These 65 women were chosen as suitable controls from the group of 331 potential controls. All the women underwent TVT surgery under local or spinal anaesthesia.

Results

The outcome measures were: (1) absence of stress urinary incontinence symptoms, (2) new occurrence of lower urinary tract irritative symptoms (LUTS), (3) persistent voiding dysfunction (VD), and (4) recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Following TVT, stress incontinence was absent in 100% and 97% of patients in the NUDS and USI groups respectively. The occurrence of LUTS was 4% and 4.6% in the NUDS and USI groups, while VD was found in 4% and 4.6% and recurrent UTIs in 8% and 6.1% of the groups respectively.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in outcomes following TVT in patients with and without urodynamically confirmed stress urinary incontinence.     

Effect of non-ablative laser treatment on overactive bladder symptoms,urinary incontinence and sexual function in women with urodynamic stress incontinence

Objective

To investigate the effects of non-ablative laser treatment on overactive bladder (OAB) syndromes, stress urinary incontinence and sexual function in women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI).

Tension-free vaginal tape-obturator in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: a prospective study with five-year follow-up

Objectives

To evaluate the medium-term outcomes of using tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) in the treatment of patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Study design

Between December 2004 and November 2005, 103 patients with SUI were enroled and treated with TVT-O with inside-out modification. A minimum five-year follow-up (median, 65 months) was obtained from 100 patients (99.6%). Preoperative and postoperative evaluations were performed for all patients. The objective success rate of the TVT-O procedure was evaluated by a negative stress test. The secondary outcomes measured included one- and five-year subjective success rates, together with the pre- and post-operative urodynamic parameters, complications, quality of life (QOL) analysis, and patient satisfaction.

Results

Among the 103 patients, 18 (17.4%) had postoperative voiding difficulties and needed urethral bladder catheterization for various periods. After the TVT-O procedure, complete disappearance of SUI occurred in 87.4% of patients, while improvement was found in about 92%. In addition, there was no difference in the cure rate between year 1 and year 5 after the procedure (P > 0.05). In 90 patients, frequency and urge symptoms were significantly improved five years after the procedure (P < 0.005), and maximal flow rates were decreased (P < 0.05). However, the severity of obstructive symptoms and postvoid residual volumes at five years were not improved compared with one year after the procedure (P = 0.10 and P = 0.33 respectively). Finally, compared to pre-operation, incontinence severity degree and QOL scale scores were largely improved after the operation (P < 0.001), while no difference was found between years 1 and 5 (P = 0.11and P = 0.09 respectively).

Conclusions

Our result shows that the TVT-obturator, a novel mid-urethral sling, is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of female SUI. Medium-term therapeutic results appear promising but further evaluation of long-term therapeutic outcomes is needed.     

不同膀胱容量会阴超声检查在压力性尿失禁诊断中的意义

目的探讨不同膀胱容量对女性压力性尿失禁(SUI)各项超声指标的影响以及超声在女性SUI诊断中的应用价值。方法对2005年6月至2007年3月南京军区福州总医院妇产科收治的42例SUI患者(SUI组),选择其中10例,禁水、禁食4h,逆行膀胱灌注(100、200、300、500mL);选择同期收住院的无SUI和(或)盆腔器官脱垂,因子宫良性肿瘤行子宫切除术的患者35例为对照组。分别在安静状态下和屏气用力动作时,采用经会阴超声检测患者膀胱颈的移动度(Mu)、膀胱颈至耻骨联合后缘中点的距离(Br、Bs),并将两种状态下的图像冻结并储存入计算机;运用计算机程序测量两种状态下的尿道膀胱后角(αr、αs)和膀胱颈的旋转角度(θ)。结果不同膀胱容量的各项超声指标检测结果类似(P>0.05)。SUI组与对照组安静及屏气用力状态时Mu、Br、Bs、αr、αs、θ、ΔB(Br与Bs的差值)值分别为(1.61±0.31)cm、(3.86±0.67)cm、(4.80±0.69)cm、(118.33±9.48)°、(134.93±14.67)°、(30.31±4.05)°、(0.91±0.14)cm与(0.91±0.17)cm、(2.64±0.37)cm、(2.92±0.42)cm、(93.66±6.52)°、(103.29±9.23)°、(15.83±2.58)°、(0.27±0.13)cm,两组各项指标比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。SUI组Mu、ΔB、θ与SUI的严重程度呈正相关(r分别=0.884,0.908,0.838,P<0.01)。结论(1)不同膀胱容量对女性SUI的各项超声指标无影响。(2)尿道高活动性是SUI的病因之一。(3)会阴超声在SUI的诊断中具有重要的应用价值。     

Sulfated glycosaminoglycans of the periurethral tissue in women with and without stress urinary incontinence, according to genital prolapse stage

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in women with and without stress urinary incontinence according to genital prolapse stage. STUDY DESIGN: Periurethral tissue was obtained from 30 women who underwent surgery for urinary incontinence, for pelvic organ prolapse, or for other benign gynecologic conditions. Biopsy specimens were assessed by biochemical methods to characterize and quantify sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Measurements were made of total glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and of heparan sulfate. Data were compared using the t-test. RESULTS: In two groups, dermatan sulfate was the most predominant glycosaminoglycan. Women with stress urinary incontinence had significantly more total sulfated glycosaminoglycans (p<0.05) and dermatan sulfate (p<0.05) than women without stress urinary incontinence. We did not observe any differences in chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate. CONCLUSIONS: Women with stress urinary incontinence showed quantitative and qualitative differences in the biochemical characteristics of the extracellular matrix in periurethral tissue by analysis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans, according to genital prolapse stage.     

A nomogram model predicting the risk of postpartum stress urinary incontinence in primiparas: A multicenter study

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common gynecological urinary system disease, and globally, 200 million or more people suffer from it. However, the existing literature mostly focuses on postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) or UI in middle-aged and elderly people, with little focus on primiparas. To analyse urinary incontinence prevalence and its risk factors in primiparas and establish a nomogram prediction model, 360 parturients were recruited from three hospitals between April and September 2021. A homemade electronic questionnaire was used to investigate the general demographic and perinatal characteristics of primiparas. The SUI was diagnosed by the physicians. Logistic regression analysis of independent risk factors for SUI and a nomogram prediction model were established. Ninety people were diagnosed as SUI. The number of pregnancies (OR = 3.322, 95% CI = 1.473–7.492), residence (OR = 5.451, 95% CI = 2.725–10.903), occupation (OR = 3.393, 95% CI = 1.144–10.064), education level (OR = 3.551, 95% CI = 1.223–10.308), delivery method (OR = 10.270, 95% CI = 4.090–25.789), and oxytocin use (OR = 2.166, 95% CI = 1.142–4.109) were independent risk factors for SUI. The C-index of the nomogram prediction model was 0.798 (95% CI = 0.749–0.846). The POPDI score, CRADI score, UDI score, and PFDI scores of women with SUI were significantly higher than those of non-SUI women, while I-QOL scores were significantly lower than those of non-SUI women. In conclusion, the prevalence of SUI among primiparas in Fuyang, China, was 25.00%, which exhibited a large impact on the quality of life of puerperae. The present study successfully established an individualized nomogram prediction model of SUI for primiparas with good discrimination and diagnostic efficiency, which was helpful for the early clinical identification of high-risk primiparas with SUI.     

Tension-free vaginal tape obturator versus Ajust adjustable single incision sling procedure in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence

Objective

To assess the efficacy and complications of inside-out transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) in comparison with a single incision sling procedure (Ajust) for the treatment of urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.

Study design

Prospective closely matched controlled study. In total, 171 patients were included in the study: 86 women underwent the TVT-O procedure, while in other 85 cases the Ajust procedure was performed. Subjective and objective cure, improvement and failure rates, mean operative time, hospital stay and incidence of complications were assessed.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for age, body mass index, parity, menopausal status and severity of prolapse. No major intraoperative complications occurred. There was no significant difference in the mean operative time and the duration of hospital stay between the two groups. The mean follow-up time of the study was 22.3 months (range 12–36 months). For the TVT-O group the objective cure rate was 86%, the improvement rate was 5.9% and the failure rate was 8.1%, while the subjective cure rate was 82.6%. For the Ajust group the objective cure rate was 84.7%, the improvement rate was 4.7%, 10.6% of patients showed no change in their symptoms and the subjective cure rate was 81.2%.

Conclusions

The Ajust sling procedure presents success rates, at 22 months’ mean follow up, comparable to the TVT-O method. Both techniques seem to be safe and effective for the treatment of urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.     

Anorectal dysfunction in women with urinary incontinence or lower urinary tract symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the prevalence of anorectal dysfunction among women with urinary storage or voiding symptoms; and (2) to investigate the risk factors associated with anorectal symptoms. METHODS: A sample of 320 women who attended the urogynecology outpatient clinic for urodynamic evaluation were requested to complete a structured questionnaire. The information collected included the medical, surgical, gynecological, and obstetric histories of the patients. Anal incontinence was defined as involuntary leakage of solid or liquid feces or gas. Constipation was defined as less than three bowel movements per week. Prevalence was estimated for anal incontinence and for constipation. A chi-square test was used to compare risk factors between women with and without anal incontinence or constipation. We used a multi-variable logistic regression analysis to estimate the association between other variables. RESULT: Forty-nine (15.9%) women reported having anal incontinence according to the above definition. Of those 49 women, 11 (3.6%) experienced leakage of liquid and/or solid feces and 38 (12.3%) had flatus incontinence. Constipation was reported by 100 (31.5%) of the women. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the main risk factor associated with anal incontinence and constipation was the presence of uterovaginal prolapse (odds ratio=5.02; 95% CI=2.19-11.5 for anal incontinence; odds ratio=1.78; 95% CI=1.03-3.09 for constipation). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate a relatively high prevalence of anal incontinence or constipation among women suffering from urinary dysfunction. Uterovaginal prolapse is the main risk factor associated with anorectal dysfunction.     

Successful colposuspension in stress urinary incontinence reduces bladder neck mobility and increases pressure transmission to the urethra

Summary Twenty-nine consecutive patients with stress urinary incontinence were investigated by bead chain urethrocystography (UCG) and single cough urethrocystometry before operation and 8–12 months after a Burch colposuspension producing clinical improvement. The operation significantly elevated the bladder neck and reduced its mobility during acute stress. the urethral inclination angle and the posterior urethrovesical angle also became smaller at rest and on straining. A significant negative correlation was found between the postoperative mobility of the bladder neck and the post-operative pressure transmission ratio (PTR), indicating that correction of the urethrovesical anatomical disorder eliminates the functional disorder in this disease and restores continence.     

胶原状态与压力性尿失禁的病因学研究

目的　通过对子宫韧带中胶原的含量、超微结构的研究 ,阐述压力性尿失禁 (SUI)和盆底膨出 (POP)患者子宫韧带的组织学改变 ,分析胶原与SUI和POP发生的关系。方法　绝经前后对照组和POP组及绝经后SUI组共 5组 73例子宫全切患者 ,取主韧带、宫骶韧带标本 ,光镜及电镜观察韧带组织学特点 ,测量胶原原纤维直径。结果　①SUI和POP患者子宫韧带平滑肌束比较细碎 ,排列较凌乱 ,韧带胶原处于代谢活跃状态 ;②绝经前后POP组和SUI患者子宫韧带胶原原纤维直径明显大于对照组 (P <0 0 1 ) ;③各组研究对象主韧带与宫骶韧带的测量结果相近 ,主韧带与宫骶韧带胶原原纤维直径显著相关 (r =0 988,P <0 0 1 )。结论　①SUI和POP患者子宫韧带平滑肌束比较细碎 ,排列较凌乱 ;②SUI和POP患者子宫韧带胶原原纤维直径明显增大 ;胶原处于代谢活跃状态 ,胶原的分解增加可能是SUI和POP发生的一个原因 ;③主韧带与宫骶韧带为组织同源性。     

Hypermobility syndrome in 105 women with pure urinary stress incontinence and in 105 controls

We compared the frequency of Hypermobility Syndrome (HS) in 105 patients with urinary stress incontinence (USI) with the frequency of HS in 105 healthy controls that matched for age and parity. A Beighton score (BS) of more than 3 was used to make the clinical diagnosis of HS. Thirty-six patients (34.28%) from the USI group and 28 patients (26.66%) from the control group were diagnosed as HS. The mean BS values were 6.44±0.35 and 5.21±0.29 respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05).     

Comparison of two outside-in transobturator midurethral slings in the treatment of female urodynamic stress incontinence

ObjectiveTo explore the difference between two brands of outside-in transobturator midurethral sling (TOT) for urodynamic stress incontinence (USI).Materials and methodsWomen who underwent an outside-in TOT procedure by either Monarc or Obtryx were retrospectively reviewed. Data of women with available information at baseline and postoperative 12-month follow-up were analyzed. The analyzed data included standardized interview, pelvic examination, as well as sling location and sling tension explored by introital four-dimensional ultrasound. Sling position were explored through the distances between the sling center and the caudal margin of the pubic symphysis (SPd) as well as sling percentile (SP) along the urethral length as a percentage in the midsagittal plane. SPd was also used to explore sling tension. Clinical outcomes were compared between two groups. Sling location and sling tension were compared in success cases between two groups.ResultsThere were 138 women in Monarc group and 140 women in Obtryx group. Rates of stress urinary continence and adverse events were not statistically different after two TOT. SPd was similar between both procedures. Obtryx located more ventrally than Monarc, indicated by a smaller SP during resting (41.6% vs 58.5%, P < 0.001), straining (38.0% vs 54.4%, P < 0.001), and coughing (39.8% vs 48.8%, P < 0.001).ConclusionAt 12-month assessment, both outside-in TOT procedures were not significantly different in terms of clinical results and sling tension, while Obtryx sling located more ventrally than Monarc.     

Comparison of the quality of life after nonsurgical radiofrequency energy tissue micro-remodeling in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with moderate-to-severe stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on incontinence quality of life (I-QOL) score improvement in women with moderate-to-severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after nonsurgical, transurethral radiofrequency energy (RF) tissue micro-remodeling. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Women with moderate-to-severe SUI were analyzed by menopausal status and HRT use for 10-point or greater I-QOL score improvement (an increase associated with subjective and objective SUI improvement). RESULTS: RF micro-remodeling resulted in 81% of subjects achieving 10-point or greater I-QOL score improvement versus 49% of sham subjects at 12 months ( P = .04). Outcomes did not differ statistically when premenopausal (85%), postmenopausal using HRT (70%), and postmenopausal not using HRT (71%) groups were compared. CONCLUSION: Menopausal status and HRT demonstrated no impact on the quality of life improvement experienced by women with moderate-to-severe SUI who underwent RF tissue micro-remodeling.     

Postpartum evaluation of stress urinary incontinence among primiparas

Objective

To assess the prevalence of postpartum stress urinary incontinence (SUI); the relationship between postpartum SUI and mode of delivery; and the association between SUI and other obstetric factors.

Method

In this prospective study, 1000 primiparas with no history of UI were recruited and followed up for 4 months after delivery. The χ² and Fisher's Exact tests were used to calculate the effects of the nominal variables.

Result

The prevalence of postpartum SUI was 14.1%, and the mode of delivery was significantly associated with SUI. The prevalence rates were 15.9% after vaginal delivery, 10.7% after elective cesarean section (CS), and 25% after CS performed for obstructed labor. The prevalence of postpartum SUI was similar following spontaneous vaginal delivery and CS performed for obstructed labor (P = .21). Meanwhile, elective CS with no trial of labor was found to be associated with a significantly lower prevalence of postpartum SUI (P = .01; χ² = 12.42). A maternal body mass index greater than 30 before pregnancy and fetal weight higher than 3000 g appeared to be associated with an increased rate of SUI (P = .001; χ² = 17.6 and P = .000; χ² = 22.5, respectively).

Conclusion

Elective CS significantly reduced the rate of postpartum SUI.     

Safety and tolerability of duloxetine in women with stress urinary incontinence

Background  The serotonin/noradrenaline uptake inhibitor duloxetine has been shown to be effective in the medical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women.
Aim  To review the safety and tolerability of duloxetine with SUI.
Methods  A systematic Medline search for the key word 'duloxetine' was performed, and abstracts from recent international gynaecological and urological meetings were also considered.
Results  Various unpleasant adverse effects exist, among which nausea is the most frequent, but is mild to moderate and transient in most cases. Dose escalation upon initiation of treatment improves the tolerability of duloxetine. The use of duloxetine appears safe as it lacks the cardiovascular adverse effects of older amine reuptake inhibitors.
Conclusions  Duloxetine has an acceptable safety profile. Dose escalation combined with patient counselling on the intensity and transient nature of adverse effects may help to further improve the benefit/tolerability ratio of duloxetine in the treatment of SUI.