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

A comparison of urethral profilometry using microtip and fiberoptic catheters.

This paper compares urethral profilometry measurements using two different types of catheter: the Millar microtip transducer and the FST fiberoptic catheter. Outcome variables were functional urethral length (FUL), maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP), and mean pressure/transmission ratio (PTR). Thirty women presenting to the urodynamics laboratory with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence were evaluated with both catheters. All subjects underwent two passive urethral pressure profiles and two dynamic (cough) urethral pressure profiles with each catheter. For FUL and MUCP, the means of the two passive measurements were compared between catheters. For PTR, the means of the two dynamic measurements were compared between catheters. There was no difference in FUL between the two catheter types. The FST measurements of MUCP and PTR were lower than the microtip measurements. Twenty percent of patients would have been diagnosed with low-pressure urethra with the FST catheter, but not with the microtip catheter. Caution must be used when applying urethral measurements taken with the fiberoptic catheters to standards set with microtip catheters.

Understanding lower urinary tract function in women soon after bladder neck surgery. Continence Program for Women Research Group.

The aim of this work was to correlate anatomic and urodynamic measures with function following bladder neck surgery. Eighty-seven women who underwent bladder neck surgery at two tertiary academic medical centers in the southeastern U.S. were studied in this prospective outcomes analysis. Preoperative and 6-week and 6-month postoperative status was assessed with urodynamic testing, physical examination, and condition-specific quality of life instruments. Correlations of dynamic urethral obstruction (quantified by pressure transmission ratio, PTR, determinations) and urethral support (quantified by urethral axis measurements) with functional status were determined. At 6 weeks, 50% of the subjects with inadequate dynamic obstruction (PTR < 90%) had genuine stress incontinence (GSI) compared to 5% of those with PTR >/= 90% (P = .00002). Of those with excessive obstruction (PTR > 110%), 32% had detrusor instability (DI) and 47% had emptying phase dysfunction (EPD) compared to 6% and 24%, respectively, of those with PTR /= 90% but

The effect of bladder training, pelvic floor muscle training, or combination training on urodynamic parameters in women with urinary incontinence. Continence Program for Women Research Group.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of three conservative interventions: pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training, or both, on urodynamic parameters in women with urinary incontinence. Two hundred four women with genuine stress incontinence (GSI) or detrusor instability with or without GSI (DI +/- GSI) participated in a two-site trial comparing pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training, or both. Patients were stratified based on severity of urinary incontinence, urodynamic diagnosis, and treatment site, then randomized to a treatment group. All women underwent a comprehensive standardized evaluation including multi-channel urodynamics at the initial assessment and at the end of 12 weeks of therapy. Analysis of covariance was used to detect differences among treatment groups on urodynamic parameters. Post-treatment evaluations were available for 181 women. No differences were found among treatments on the following measurements: maximum urethral closure pressure, mean urethral closure pressure, maximum Kegel urethral closure pressure, mean Kegel urethral closure pressure, functional urethral length, pressure transmission ratios, straining urethral axis, first sensation to void, maximum cystometric capacity, and the MCC minus FSV. The effect of treatment did not differ by urodynamic diagnosis. Behavioral therapy had no effect on commonly measured urodynamic parameters. The mechanism by which clinical improvement occurs remains unknown. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:427-436, 1999.

Reliability and correlation of measurements during and after bladder neck surgery. The Continence Program for Women Research Group.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of seven intraoperative measurements of the effects of bladder neck suspension and correlate these measurements with postoperative dynamic urethral obstruction, quantified as the cough-pressure transmission ratio. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty women undergoing surgery for bladder neck hypermobility had seven measurements performed in duplicate: (i) the endoscopic appearance of the bladder neck: (ii) the bladder neck-retropubic surface distance (BN-RP distance); (iii) urethral axis; (iv) slow urethral pressure profilometry (UPP); (v) fast UPP; (vi) straining UPP; and (vii) dynamic UPP. Reliabilities were assessed by computing the intraclass correlation coefficient (R) for continuous data or Kappa statistic (K) for ordinal data. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationships between the intra-operative measures and postoperative pressure transmission. RESULTS: The intra-operative reliabilities for maximum pressure, length and area from the three UPP techniques were high (R=0.88-0.98) as were those for urethral axis measurements (R=0.98). In contrast, reliabilities were poor for pressure transmission ratios (R=0.15-0.33), BN-RP distance (R=0.55), and endoscopic appearance (K=0.10). There were significant correlations of the pressures from the UPPs and intra-operative pressure transmission ratios with postoperative pressure transmission ratios; however, the poor intra-operative reliability of intra-operative pressure transmission limits their usefulness. None of the other measures correlated significantly with postoperative pressure transmission ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Of the measures studied, only intra-operative UPPs had both high reliability and good postoperative correlations.

Comparative efficacy of behavioral interventions in the management of female urinary incontinence. Continence Program for Women Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the efficacy of bladder training, pelvic muscle exercise with biofeedback-assisted instruction, and combination therapy, on urinary incontinence in women. The primary hypothesis was that combination therapy would be the most effective in reducing incontinent episodes. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial with three treatment groups was conducted in gynecologic practices at two university medical centers. Two hundred and four women diagnosed with genuine stress incontinence (n = 145) and/or detrusor instability (n = 59) received a 12-week intervention program (6 weekly office visits and 6 weeks of mail/telephone contact) with immediate and 3-month follow-up. Outcome variables included number of incontinent episodes, quality of life, perceived improvement, and satisfaction. Data analyses consisted of analysis of covariance using baseline values as covariates and chi2 tests. RESULTS: The combination therapy group had significantly fewer incontinent episodes, better quality of life, and greater treatment satisfaction immediately after treatment. No differences among groups were observed 3 months later. Women with genuine stress incontinence had greater improvement in life impact, and those with detrusor instability had less symptom distress at the immediate follow-up; otherwise, no differences were noted by diagnosis, incontinence severity, or treatment site. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy had the greatest immediate efficacy in the management of female urinary incontinence regardless of urodynamic diagnosis. However, each of the 3 interventions had similar effects 3 months after treatment. Results suggest that the specific treatment may not be as important as having a structured intervention program with education, counseling, and frequent patient contact.

Behavioral intervention for community-dwelling individuals with urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: To review the use of behavioral modification as a treatment for urinary incontinence (UI) among individuals in the community. METHODS: The implementation of pelvic floor rehabilitation and bladder training is discussed. "Cure rates" reported in studies of community-dwelling women with UI are presented, and possible mechanisms of the treatment effect are described. RESULTS: Clinical trials of behavioral modification for UI have incorporated different therapeutic regimens and outcome measurements. On average, however, pelvic muscle rehabilitation has produced complete resolution in approximately 20% of patients and a 50% to 75% reduction in most individuals. Bladder training has produced complete resolution in fewer than 15% of patients and a 50% to 75% reduction in more than 50% of subjects. Although the mechanism of the treatment effect remains undetermined, it may involve modification of voluntary striated muscle contractility, reflex striated muscle contractility, cortical inhibition, and cortical facilitation. The structure and implementation of the technique, rather than the specific technique itself, may be responsible for the treatment effect. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral interventions have a definite place in the management of UI. Most such therapies will reduce, rather than abolish, UI. However, the reduction in symptoms may improve the quality of life.

Relationship between urethral and vaginal pressures during pelvic muscle contraction. The Continence Program for Women Research Group.

Condensation is the performance of an effective pelvic muscle contraction increases urethral and vaginal pressures and is independent of demographic, clinical, and urodynamic factors. Our objective was to examine the relationship between urethral closure pressure and vaginal pressure during a pelvic muscle contraction in minimally trained women. Our secondary aim was to determine whether demographic, clinical, or urodynamic factors predict pelvic muscle contraction performance. Two hundred two women with urinary incontinence underwent multichannel urodynamic evaluation, including urethral profilometry and measurement of vaginal pressure during pelvic muscle contraction. One hundred forty-four women were diagnosed with genuine stress incontinence, 28 with detrusor instability, and 30 with mixed incontinence. Urethral and vaginal pressures correlated significantly during pelvic muscle contraction (P < or = 0.006). The ability to perform an adequate pelvic muscle contraction was independent of subject age, parity, hormonal or hysterectomy status, clinical severity, urethral support, and urethral profilometry measures (P > or = 0.42).

Quality of life following bladder training in older women with urinary incontinence.

This study investigated the changes in quality of life following a randomized controlled 6-week trial of bladder training in 123 older women with urinary incontinence. Both clinical (diary, pad test) and quality of life measures (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D)) and visual analog scales on symptom burden were obtained at baseline, 6 weeks and 6 months following treatment. All subscales and the composite scale of the IIQ and the visual analog scales were significantly improved following bladder training, with effects maintained 6 months later. No changes were observed in CES-D scores. Women with genuine stress incontinence and those with detrusor instability with or without concomitant stress incontinence had similar improvements. We conclude that bladder training is effective in improving the quality of life of incontinent women regardless of urodynamic diagnosis.

Efficacy of estrogen supplementation in the treatment of urinary incontinence. The Continence Program for Women Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of cyclic postmenopausal hormone replacement in treating urinary incontinence in hypoestrogenic women. METHODS: Eighty-three hypoestrogenic women complaining of urinary incontinence were included. All patients were community-dwelling, age 45 years or older, with involuntary loss of urine occurring at least once a week and urodynamic evidence of genuine stress incontinence and/or detrusor instability. Evaluation consisted of a comprehensive clinical and urodynamic research protocol. The hypoestrogenic entry criterion was a plasma estradiol level of 30 pg/mL or less. Parabasal cells on vaginal smears were also monitored. The primary outcome was the number of incontinent episodes per week, as documented on a standardized urinary diary. Secondary outcomes were the quantity of fluid loss, voluntary diurnal and nocturnal micturition frequency, generic and condition-specific health-related quality of life measurements, and patient satisfaction. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design was used. Subjects in the treatment group were given conjugated equine estrogens (0.625 mg) and medroxyprogesterone (10 mg) cyclically for 3 months. Controls received placebo tablets. RESULTS: (All results are presented as mean +/- standard deviation.) Subjects were 67 +/- 9 years old. The menopause duration was 18 +/- 11 years. The duration of incontinence was 9 +/- 9 years. Estradiol level at baseline was 9 +/- 9 pg/mL, and the parabasal cell count was 42 +/- 44%. The number of incontinent episodes at baseline was 13 +/- 10 for the treatment group and 16 +/- 4 for controls. No significant changes occurred in the number of incontinent episodes after treatment: 10 +/- 10 for the treatment group, and 13 +/- 14 for the controls (P = .7). Also, fluid loss was not changed: 176 +/- 106 g for the treatment group and 64 +/- 88 g for the control group at baseline, and 101 +/- 150 and 51 +/- 69 g after treatment, respectively (P = .7). There were no significant differences for either diurnal or nocturnal voluntary micturition, quality of life measures, or patient's perception of improvement. CONCLUSION: Three-month cyclic hormone replacement therapy did not affect either clinical or quality of life variables of incontinent, hypoestrogenic women. Long-term effects are unlikely to be substantially different. The use of estrogen supplementation as preventive or adjuvant therapy was not evaluated in this study.

Randomized prospective comparison of needle colposuspension versus endopelvic fascia plication for potential stress incontinence prophylaxis in women undergoing vaginal reconstruction for stage III or IV pelvic organ prolapse. The Continence Program for Women Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: Severe prolapse may mask potential genuine stress urinary incontinence in women. Some have suggested that a suspending urethropexy be performed in women who have potential genuine stress incontinence demonstrated by barrier reduction of the prolapse preoperatively. Our aim was to compare outcomes after prolapse surgery that included a formal bladder neck suspension with those operations that did not. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective randomized clinical trial assigned 32 women with bladder neck hypermobility and stage III or IV pelvic organ prolapse to receive either a needle colposuspension or bladder neck endopelvic fascia plication as part of the vaginal reconstructive surgery. Twenty-nine subjects underwent detailed clinical, anatomic, urodynamic, and quality-of-life evaluations before and 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery; 23 completed urinary diary and quality-of-life evaluations after a mean of 2.9 years. RESULTS: Needle colposuspension increased short-term complications without providing additional protection from de novo stress incontinence. Barrier testing before surgery predicted urethral sphincteric resistance after surgery; however, such testing neither predicted a patient's function after surgery nor indicated the need for a suspending urethropexy. The combination of a needle colposuspension with a sacrospinous ligament suspension predisposed to the early development of support defects of the upper anterior vaginal segment and to failure of bladder neck support. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative barrier testing in women with severe prolapse is not useful in identifying individuals who require a suspending urethropexy. Needle colposuspension increases short-term complications, lacks durability, and may predispose to early and severe recurrent anterior prolapse when performed with a sacrospinous ligament vault suspension.

Short forms to assess life quality and symptom distress for urinary incontinence in women: the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and the Urogenital Distress Inventory. Continence Program for Women Research Group.

This article describes short form versions of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI). These instruments assess life impact and symptom distress, respectively, of urinary incontinence and related conditions for women. All subsets regression analysis was used to find item subsets that best approximated scores of the long form versions. The approach succeeded in reducing the 30-item IIQ and the 19-item UDI to 7- and 6-item short forms, respectively. The short form versions may be more useful than the long form versions in many clinical and research applications.

Comparison of "subjective" and "objective" measures of severity of urinary incontinence in women. Program for Women Research Group.

The aims of this study were to compare "subjective" measures of severity of urinary incontinence to similar "objective" measures, establish their statistical correlation, and determine the effect of specific urodynamic diagnosis on such correlations. Baseline data was available from 265 women entered into a clinical trial studying pharmacologic and behavioral interventions for urinary incontinence. The "subjective" measures of incontinence were obtained by patient recall during history taking and included: the number of incontinent episodes in 1 week, the number of perineal pads used during 1 week, and the number of clothing changes required due to wetness. The "objective" measures of severity included: the number of incontinent episodes per week as recorded on a 7-day diary, the number of perineal pads used per week, also recorded on a diary, and the amount of fluid lost during a standardized pad test. Analysis consisted of Pearson correlations and linear regressions to determine equations for the prediction of objective measurement on the basis of the corresponding subjective measure. Significant positive correlations were seen between "subjective" and "objective" measurements for the comparisons of number of weekly incontinent episodes (R = 0.63), and for the weekly number of pads used (R = 0.81). The comparison between the number of clothing changes and the amount of fluid lost during pad testing was also significantly but less strongly correlated (R = 0.24). For the correlations between subjective and objective determinations of urinary incontinent episodes and for those between clothing changes and pad testing, the urodynamic diagnosis had no effect on the correlation coefficients, but did have a statistically significant effect on the intercept.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Health-related quality of life measures for women with urinary incontinence: the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and the Urogenital Distress Inventory. Continence Program in Women (CPW) Research Group.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a relatively common condition in middle-aged and older women. Traditional measures of symptoms do not adequately capture the impact that UI has on individuals' lives. Further, severe morbidity and mortality are not associated with this condition. Rather, UI's impact is primarily on the health status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of women. Generic measures of HRQOL inadequately address the impact of the condition on the day-to-day lives of women with UI. The current paper presents data on two new condition-specific instruments designed to assess the HRQOL of UI in women: the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). Used in conjunction with one another, these two measures provide detailed information on how UI affects the lives of women. The measures provide data on the more traditional view of HRQOL by assessing the impact of UI on various activities, roles and emotional states (IIQ), as well as data on the less traditional but critical issue of the degree to which symptoms associated with UI are troubling to women (UDI). Data on the reliability, validity and sensitivity to change of these measures demonstrate that they are psychometrically strong. Further, they have been developed for simple, self-administration.

Randomized double-blind trial of terodiline in the treatment of urge incontinence in women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of terodiline in women with urge incontinence. METHODS: After a 2-week run-in period, 93 women with urinary frequency and urge incontinence were randomized to either placebo or terodiline, 25 mg twice daily, in a double-blind study for 4 weeks. Symptoms were evaluated using daily frequency-volume charts to record voiding frequency, number of incontinent episodes, absorbent pad use, and quality of life. RESULTS: The terodiline group showed a 70% decrease in the mean (+/- standard deviation) number of incontinent episodes per week (15.8 +/- 24, decreasing to 4.9 +/- 11.9; P < .01), which persisted throughout the study period. The placebo group achieved a 9% reduction in the mean number of incontinent episodes (13.0 +/- 11.3, decreasing to 11.9 +/- 16; P < .05) only in the final week of treatment. Side effects, especially anticholinergic side effects, were more common in the terodiline group, but resulted in only one dropout. Both the treated and placebo groups improved in daytime frequency and quality-of-life indices. CONCLUSION: Terodiline is well tolerated and effective in reducing urge incontinent episodes in women.