Effects of pelvic floor muscle training on strength and predictors of response in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

AIMS: The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the effect of training on pelvic floor muscle strength; (2) to determine whether changes in pelvic floor muscle strength correlate with changes in continence; and (3) to determine whether demographic characteristics, clinical incontinence severity indices, or urodynamic measures predict response to pelvic floor muscle training. METHODS: One hundred thirty-four women with urinary incontinence (95=genuine stress incontinence [GSI]; 19=detrusor instability [DI]; 20=mixed incontinence [GSI+DI]) were randomized to pelvic floor muscle training (n=67) or bladder training (n=67). Urinary diaries, urodynamic evaluation, and vaginal pressure measurements by using balloon manometry were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of therapy. Primary outcome measures consisted of incontinent episodes per week and vaginal pressure measurements. RESULTS: Both treatment groups had a reduction in incontinent episodes (P

Why older community-dwelling adults do not discuss urinary incontinence with their primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored reasons why older adults with urinary incontinence (UI) do not initiate discussions with or seek treatment for UI from their primary care provider. DESIGN: A randomized, prospective controlled trial involving 41 primary care sites. SETTING: Primary care practice sites. PARTICIPANTS: 49 older adults age 60 and older not previously screened for UI by their primary care doctor. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, self-reported bladder-control information using questionnaires, and health status. RESULTS: Adults who did not discuss UI were older, had less-frequent leaking accidents and fewer nighttime voids and were less bothered by UI than those who did. The two main reasons why patients did not seek help were the perceptions that UI was not a big problem (45%) and was a normal part of aging (19%). CONCLUSIONS: Embarrassment or lack of awareness of treatment options were not significant barriers to discussing UI. Adults with a fairly high frequency of UI (average of 1.7 episodes per day) did not view UI as abnormal or a serious medical condition.

The association of depressive symptoms and urinary incontinence among older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship of urinary incontinence (UI) and depressive symptoms (DS) in older adults. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled trial to determine the effects of clinical practice guideline implementation on provider attitudes and behavior, and patients' UI, health status, quality of life, and satisfaction with care. Baseline and endpoint data were collected from patients via computer-assisted telephone interviewing. SETTING: Forty-one nonacademic primary care practices (PCP) in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 668 community-dwelling adults (age > 60) who had visited the one of the selected PCPs. INTERVENTION: PCPs in the intervention group were given instruction in the detection and management of UI, educational materials for providers and patients, office system supports, and academic detailing. MEASUREMENTS: The dependent measure was assessed using an eight-item screener for DS. UI (status, frequency, amount), health (physical, mental), and demographic (age, gender, marital status) and self-report information about bladder control served as predictors. RESULTS: Wilcoxon rank sum tests showed that UI status was associated with moderate to severe DS (43% vs 30%, P = .05). Multivariate analyses showed that UI status, physical and mental health, and gender were significant predictors of DS. Among UI adults (n = 230), physical and mental health, life satisfaction, and the perception that UI interfered with daily life were significant predictors of DS. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides clear evidence that UI is related to DS in older adults.

Proceedings of the American Urogynecologic Society Multidisciplinary Symposium on Defecatory Disorders.

The Multidisciplinary Symposium on Defecatory Disorders was created to delineate the breadth of defecatory disorders and propose investigations to address identified knowledge deficits. Seven experts in defecatory disorders and 24 members of the American Urogynecologic Society were invited. The experts provided brief summaries of the scope of defecatory disorders from the perspectives of their specialties. The group then divided into 3 subgroups that focused on pathophysiology, imaging, and evaluation and treatment. Defecatory disorders, including anal incontinence and constipation, are common among women of all ages. Determination of their prevalence is complicated by a lack of standardized definitions. Defecatory disorders carry lengthy differential diagnoses. Imaging studies and anorectal testing, although not standardized, can aid in distinguishing different causes of dysfunction. The lack of uniformity in diagnosis and evaluation compromises comparisons of different treatments. Standardization of diagnoses and diagnostic modalities is essential to the design of meaningful evaluations of treatments for defecatory disorders.

Use of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system of the International Continence Society, American Urogynecologic Society, and Society of Gynecologic Surgeons in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to apply the standardized Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system to perimenopausal women to obtain normative data and to determine any effects of risk factors for incontinence and prolapse on Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system scores. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred forty-one women aged 45 to 55 years who were seen for perimenopausal care were evaluated in the dorsal lithotomy position for pelvic prolapse at enrollment and again at 12 months. Prolapse was scored according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system, as approved by the International Continence Society. All subjects completed questionnaires to obtain demographic data, reproductive history, and gynecologic history. Data were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney rank sum test and with 1-way analysis of variance on ranks. RESULTS: The subjects had a mean parity of 2.2 and a mean weight of 72.4 kg. Hysterectomy had been performed in 28% of the women. Urinary incontinence was reported by 66% of the women at enrollment. Mean prolapse scores that described the position of the cervix, the position of the posterior fornix, and the total vaginal length were significantly changed by the 1-year follow-up, with scores reflecting increased prolapse. The mean score at point Ba, which represents the proximal portion of the anterior vaginal wall, was significantly lower, consistent with decreased prolapse at this site. History of smoking, prior hysterectomy, weight, parity, and incontinence at enrollment did not significantly correlate with any of the 9 measured prolapse points. CONCLUSIONS: Normative data for the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system of the International Continence Society, American Urogynecologic Society, and Society of Gynecologic Surgeons were measured in a group of perimenopausal women. Apparent increases in prolapse at points C, D, and tvl may reflect changes in vaginal size rather an increase in uterine or vaginal vault prolapse. This variability may confound the use of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system in longitudinal studies involving perimenopausal women.

Periurethral collagen injection: a long-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term success of the periurethral injection of collagen (Contigen(R), Bard UK) in women with genuine stress incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one women with genuine stress incontinence were enrolled in a trial of periurethral collagen injections between 1 September 1990 and 31 August 1992. They were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after the last collagen injection. In 1998, their notes were reviewed, and a standardized questionnaire was sent to 46 women who were still alive and had undergone no further anti-incontinence surgery. RESULTS: Of the 53 women who were either known failures or who had follow-up information beyond 5 years, 26% were subjectively improved. Women who had a maximum urethral closure pressure of >20 cmH2O and those who had urinary incontinence for <10 years before their first injection were more likely to have had long-term success. There was no correlation between long-term success and the number of previous operations, body mass index, age or preoperative pad loss. Neither the number of injection sessions, total volume of collagen injected nor perceived bulking at the time of surgery affected long-term success rates. Of the 14 women who considered themselves subjectively improved, seven had daily incontinence and only one was completely dry. Urinary retention and urinary tract infection were the most common complications. In addition, one woman reported a flare-up of her skin test and transient 'flu-like symptoms 2 weeks after the injection, and one woman developed a right upper lobe pneumonia 2 weeks after the collagen injection. CONCLUSION: The long-term results of periurethral collagen injections are disappointing. We found no evidence to support the use of periurethral collagen injections in women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency, who had a higher failure rate than those with hypermobility. Further research is essential to develop agents that are not immunogenic, produce minimal inflammatory response and yet are durable.