Interpenetrating and semi-interpenetrating network superabsorbent hydrogels based on sodium alginate and cellulose nanocrystals: A biodegradable and high-performance solution for adult incontinence pads.

Superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) are essential in various applications, including hygienic products like adult incontinence pads. However, synthetic-based super absorbent polymers (SAPs) dominate the market despite being non-biodegradable. Alternatively, bio-based hydrogels, such as sodium alginate (SA)-based hydrogels, offer biodegradable alternatives. In this study, we aimed to enhance the practical applied properties of SA-based hydrogels by grafting SA with acrylic acid (AA) and incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Specifically, we investigated the potential of interpenetrating network (IPN) and semi-interpenetrating network (S-IPN) hydrogels as absorbent materials in adult incontinence pads. The fabricated SAHs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). They were also evaluated for absorption and rheological properties. The results showed that in IPN/SAHs, the addition of CNCs decreased pore sizes, while in S-IPN/SAHs, CNC incorporation increased pore sizes. The S-IPN/SAHs exhibited a significantly higher free swelling capacity (FSC) with CNCs loading, reaching 142.29 g/g in 0.9 % NaCl solution and 817.4 g/g in distilled water. On the other hand, IPN/SAHs showed a higher storage modulus and lower loss modulus compared to S-IPN/SAHs. Notably, the superior samples from this study showed a 33 % reduction in SAP consumption compared to commercial SAPs, making them more cost-effective for adult incontinence pad manufacturers. Overall, our research demonstrates the potential of interpenetrating and semi-interpenetrating network superabsorbent hydrogels as high-performance absorbent materials. The results offer improved absorbency and cost savings for producers of adult incontinence pads, and bio-based hydrogels like SA-based hydrogels are promising biodegradable alternatives to synthetic-based SAPs.

Holistically sustainable continence care: A working definition, the case of single-used absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) and the need for ecosystems thinking.

Incontinence is a common health issue that affects hundreds of millions of people across the world. The solution is often to manage the condition with different kinds of single-use continence technologies, such as incontinence pads and other absorbent hygiene products (AHPs). Throughout their life cycle, these fossil-based products form a remarkable yet inadequately addressed ecological burden in society, contributing to global warming and other environmental degradation. The products are a necessity for their users' wellbeing. When looking for sustainability transitions in this field, focus on individual consumer-choice is thus inadequate - and unfair to the users. The industry is already seeking to decrease its carbon footprint. Yet, to tackle the environmental impact of single-use continence products, also societies and health systems at large must start taking continence seriously. Arguing that continence-aware societies are more sustainable societies, we devise in this article a society-wide working definition for holistically sustainable continence care. Involving dimensions of social, ecological and economic sustainability, the concept draws attention to the wide range of technologies, infrastructures and care practices that emerge around populations' continence needs. Holistically sustainable continence care is thus not only about AHPs. However, in this article, we examine holistically sustainable continence care through the case of AHPs. We review what is known about the environmental impact AHPs, discuss the impact of care practices on aggregate material usage, the future of biobased and degradable incontinence pads, as well as questions of waste management and circular economy. The case of AHPs shows how holistically sustainable continence care is a wider question than technological product development. In the end of the article, we envision an ecosystem where technologies, infrastructures and practices of holistically sustainable continence care can flourish, beyond the focus on singular technologies.

Evaluación de desenlaces percibidos por pacientes adultos con incontinencia que utilizan pañales desechables en Colombia

R E S U M E N Introducción: La incontinencia es un problema de salud frecuente que afecta la calidad de vida de las personas, limitando la autonomía y reduciendo la autoestima. Entre el 36-54% de las personas con incontinencia severa pueden presentar deterioro moderado a extremo en su cotidianidad y confianza. Objetivo: Evaluar la percepción de pacientes adultos con incontinencia urinaria y/o incontinencia fecal severa frente al uso de los pañales desechables. Metodología: Estudio observacional de cohorte, en pacientes afiliados a programas de atención domiciliaria usuarios de tres marcas comerciales de pañales. La percepción se evaluó con el instrumento ICIQ-PadPROM®. Resultados: Participaron I79 pacientes, 68% mujeres con edad promedio 7I,9 años. El dominio de diseño de pañal y efecto físico fue el que presentó mejor calificación, siendo el pañal Content Medical® el mejor calificado, con diferencias significativas principalmente frente al grupo de Rely®; en el ítem de filtraciones del dominio carga del pañal, Content Medical® presenta mejor percepción comparado contra los otros grupos (p<0.00I). Conclusiones: Los pacientes tienen adecuada percepción de las marcas de pañal; sin embargo, los que utilizaron Content Medical® refieren mayor percepción favorable.

Introduction: Incontinence is a frequent health problem that affects the quality of life of people, limiting autonomy and reducing self-esteem. Between 36-54% of people with severe incontinence may have moderate to extreme deterioration in their daily lives and confidence. Objective: To evaluate the perception of adult patients with urinary incontinence and/or severe fecal incontinence compared to the use of disposable diapers. Methodology: Observational cohort study in patients affiliated in home care programs using three commercial brands of diapers. Perception was assessed with the ICIQ-PadPROM® instrument. Results: I79 patients participated, 68% were women and an average age of 7I.9 years. The domain of diaper design and physical effect was the one that presented the best rating, with the Content Medical® diaper being the best qualified, with significant differences mainly compared to the Rely® group; in the leakage item of the diaper loading domain, Content Medical® presents better perception compared to the other groups (p<0.00I). Conclusions: Patients have adequate perception of diaper brands; however; those who used Content Medical® reported a higher favorable perception.

Introdução: A incontinência é um problema de saúde comum que afeta a qualidade de vida das pessoas, limitando a autonomia e reduzindo a auto-estima. Entre 36-54% das pessoas com incontinência severa podem ter uma deficiência moderada a extrema em sua vida diária e confiança. Objetivo: Avaliar a percepção de pacientes adultos com incontinência urinária e/ou incontinência fecal grave em relação ao uso de fraldas descartáveis. Metodologia: Estudo de coorte observacional em pacientes afiliados a programas de cuidados domiciliares utilizando três marcas comerciais de fraldas. A percepção foi avaliada com o instrumento ICIQ-PadPROM®. Resultados: I79 pacientes participaram, 68% mulheres com uma média de idade de 7I,9 anos. O domínio de design e efeito físico das fraldas foi o mais bem avaliado, sendo a fralda Content Medical® a mais bem avaliada, com diferenças significativas principalmente em relação ao grupo Rely®; no item vazamento do domínio de carga de fraldas, Content Medical® apresentou melhor percepção em comparação com os outros grupos (p<0,00I). Conclusões: Os pacientes têm uma percepção adequada das marcas de fraldas; entretanto, aqueles que usaram Content Medical® relatam uma percepção mais favorável.

Absorbent incontinence pad use and the association with urinary tract infection and frailty: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Up to 40% of adults over 65 years are full-time users of absorbent incontinence pads due to urinary incontinence. Simultaneously, urinary tract infection is amongst the most common hospital-acquired infection in older patients. Objectives: To explore the association between (1) full-time use of absorbent incontinence pads and urinary tract infection at acute hospital admission, (2) state of frailty and becoming a pad user during hospitalization, and (3) becoming a pad user and acquiring a urinary tract infection during hospitalization in older patients. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Admissions in an emergency department with transfers to geriatric, cardiac, infectious, or endocrinological wards from September 7th, 2017 to February 18th, 2019. Patients: 1,958 patients aged 65 years or more, having daily homecare or moderate comorbidity, hospitalized due to acute illness, and living in the municipality of Aarhus. Methods: The study was conducted by two researchers reviewing the patients' electronic health records combined with data on frailty status from a geriatric quality database. In the electronic health records, data on baseline characteristics, absorbent incontinence pad use at admission and during the hospital stay, and urinary tract infection were obtained. Results: Full-time users of absorbent incontinence pads had a higher probability of being admitted with urinary tract infection (Odds Ratio=2.00 (95% Confidence Interval: 1.61-2.49); p<.001). Patients identified as severely frail had a higher probability of becoming pad users during hospitalization (Odds Ratio=1.57 (95% Confidence Interval: 1.45-1.71); p<.001) compared to non/mild/moderate frail patients. Patients who became pad users during hospitalization had a higher risk of a hospital-acquired urinary tract infection (Odds Ratio=4.28 (95% Confidence Interval: 1.92-9.52); p<.001). Conclusions: There was an association between the use of absorbent incontinence pads and the development of urinary tract infections in older hospitalized patients, both in full-time users and those who were frail and became pad users during hospitalization. These findings emphasize the need for further research on preventing urinary tract infections and unnecessary pad use in older patients.

Association of Supply Source with Continence Product and Care Satisfaction in Patients with Urinary Incontinence.

Purpose: We aimed to examine how supply source affects satisfaction with continence products and care among individuals with urinary incontinence (UI). Supply source was compared among pharmacies, national suppliers, and shops. The secondary aim was to compare participant characteristics between the three groups. Patients and Methods: A survey questionnaire was distributed via social media between April and June 2020. This included the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire (ICIQ) UI short form (ICIQ-UI-SF), the ICIQ-PadPROM, and the ICIQ-LUTSqol, together with questions about respondent characteristics and satisfaction with continence products. Results: Of the 1045 respondents, 706 fully completed and 339 partially completed the survey. Among these, 322 (45.6%), 199 (28.1%), and 185 (26.2%) made purchases from shops, national suppliers, and pharmacies, respectively. The mean ICIQ-UI-SF sum scores were comparable for the pharmacy (13.3 ± 3.7) and national supplier (13.8 ± 3.5) groups, but were significantly lower for the shop group (12.0 ± 3.3). Mean sum scores for satisfaction with continence products and satisfaction with continence care were also significantly lower in the shop group (7.9 ± 2.6 and 6.4 ± 2.7, respectively) compared with the pharmacy (9.1 ± 2.7 and 7.9 ± 2.6, respectively) and national supplier (9.3 ± 2.6 and 8.1 ± 3.0, respectively) groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the ICIQ-PadPROM and ICIQ-LUTSqol scores. Respondents' characteristics were similar, apart from the significantly lower number of males in the shop group. Conclusion: Satisfaction with continence products and continence care is lower for people with UI who purchase materials from a shop than from a pharmacy or national supplier.

[Guidelines for consultations regarding incontinence care products]. / Leitlinie Hilfsmittelberatung bei Harninkontinenz.

An investigation of the German consumer organisation "Stiftung Warentest" in 2017 confirmed significant deficiencies in the information, advice and supply of incontinence care products received by urinary incontinence patients. The German Society of Urology (DGU) thereupon drafted and later published guidelines concerning the consultation of patients in the context of incontinence care. Important aspects of the consultation process include the determination of the type of incontinence as well as its severity, clinical examination, and advice regarding possible curative treatments. However, the advice appointment takes centre stage and should ideally be conducted by a qualified person in a separate room granting sufficient privacy and time. Furthermore, repeated supply of a selection of samples for differing degrees and types of incontinence, accommodating the patient's individual preferences and anatomical features, is crucial in order to ensure optimal incontinence care. In the case of commercial health care service providers, transparency relating to the financial implications of e.g. expensive products is key, which is what has been intended by German health insurance providers. The new guidelines concerning urinary incontinence care consultation constitute a step towards the improvement and structuring of processes in the consultation regarding, and the supply of, incontinence care products.

Is there a correlation between a 20-min pad-test and subjective urine leakage amount?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The quantification of urinary incontinence (UI) is widely used in clinical practice to guide the prognosis and treatment, and the pad test is an inexpensive, quick, and easy tool to assess UI that has been used in studies in the literature. Another way to evaluate UI is the subjective urine leakage amount, but no studies have tried to correlate it with the 20-min pad test. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the correlation of the 20-min pad test with the subjective urine leakage amount and compare it with the pelvic floor function. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 72 participants. It evaluated pelvic floor muscle strength as well as the duration of symptoms and pad weight. It used mean, standard deviation, median, and 95% confidence interval. In addition, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used. The significance level was fixed at 5% (significant if P < 0.05). RESULTS: Only age was different between leakage volumes; participants who report greater UI volume were older than the participants who leaked less urine. There were no differences related to the duration of symptoms between different UI volumes and pad weights according to the subjective volume reported. Spearman's coefficient between pad weight and subjective volume of urine leakage was rs = 0.558 (P ≤ 0.0001), demonstrating a moderate positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS: There was a moderate correlation between the UI volume reported and the 20-min pad test. Additionally, no differences related to pelvic floor function were detected.

Expectations and Perceptions of Dutch Pharmacy Staff Regarding a New Framework for Continence Care: A Focus Group Study.

Based on complaints that patients with urinary incontinence were not receiving the correct medical aids, the Dutch Ministry of Health, Wellbeing, and Sports requested further exploration. This resulted in a new framework based on considering individual activities of daily living when providing continence products. We aimed to explore the expectations of pharmacy staff regarding this new framework for continence care in the Netherlands and to establish the facilitators and barriers associated with that care. In total, 15 participants from 7 different pharmacies participated in 2 focus groups. Data analysis was by thematic content analysis. Pharmacy employees were positive about the idea of considering individual daily activities when providing continence products in the new framework, but they did have some reservations about the feasibility of implementation in daily practice. Barriers to optimal continence care included low reimbursement for patients with incontinence, especially with non-standard needs, and poor communication between the various stakeholders in continence care. Efforts must be extended to review the current reimbursement system and to change the policies and information provided by stakeholders in continence care, before the new framework will make a real impact in clinical practice.

Diapers as Promising Alternative Collection Method for Urine Specimens in Nursing Home Residents: A Noninferiority Study.

OBJECTIVE: There is unmet need for an easy, noninvasive urine collection method to diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing home residents suffering from urinary incontinence or cognitive impairments. UTIs are highly prevalent in nursing home residents, and urine specimen collection can be difficult. The objective of this study was to assess if urine specimens collected from super-absorbing incontinence pads (adult diapers) are a reliable collection method for UTI diagnosis. DESIGN: This was a paired noninferiority laboratory study, in which pairing refers to UTI diagnostics performed directly using clinical urine specimens (reference specimen) and indirectly using urine extracted from diapers (diaper specimen). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In this study, remnants of 250 clinical urine specimens were used to assess noninferiority in diagnosing UTIs, based on a 1-sided type I error of 2.5%, a power of 90%, and a noninferiority margin of 15%. METHODS: Urine specimens were poured on super-absorbing disposable adult diapers and extracted after 3 hours, to use for dipstick urinalysis and bacterial culture. UTIs were defined as presence of leukocytes and a positive bacterial culture. Noninferiority was assessed by calculating a Wald-type test statistic. RESULTS: Noninferiority was established for diagnosing UTIs in diaper specimens, and for each of its components (dipstick leukocyte detection and bacterial culture positivity). Positive bacterial cultures were found in 72 (29.0%) diaper specimens compared with 65 (26.2%) reference specimens (difference -2.8%, 97.5% CI -7.1% to 1.5%). Leukocytes were present in 162 (64.8%) diaper specimens, compared with 175 (70.0%) reference specimens (difference -5.7%, 97.5% CI: -10.6% to -0.7%). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our results on diagnosing UTIs, by dipstick analysis and bacterial cultures, using super-absorbing adult diapers are promising. Before translation into clinical practice, further studies are needed to evaluate the risk of bacterial contamination by wearing adult diapers, possibly resulting in overdiagnosis of UTI.

Managing incontinence in people with dementia.

It is estimated that there are 850 000 people with dementia in the UK, and 53% of them have incontinence. Dementia adds an extra challenge to managing a patient's continence. This article discusses that challenge, looking at the nature and causes of incontinence, the effects that ageing has on continence and the associated complications. It then examines the nature of dementia and some of its causes and goes on to show how the symptoms of dementia can impact on a person's continence. The article highlights the important of conducting a thorough assessment of a person with dementia who experiences incontinence, including medical history, medications and symptom profile. Using a bladder diary, the importance of involving relatives and carers, physical examination and 'red-flag' symptoms to be aware of are also discussed. Lastly, this article talks about creating a strategy to manage a patient's incontinence, including prompted toileting, medication, using incontinence pads, catheterisation, care planning and supporting relatives and carers.

Assessment of male urinary incontinence postprostatectomy through the Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the correlation between the urinary incontinence results of the ICIQ-SF, and those obtained in the 1-hour and 24-hour pad tests, in a sample of men that underwent prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out in patients from the Integrated Management Area of Vigo (EOXI de Vigo) who underwent prostatectomy and suffered from urinary incontinence in the post-surgery period. Loss of urine was assessed by means of the 1-hour and 24-hour pad tests and the ICIQ-SF. A comparative analysis of the questionnaire findings was performed for both urinary incontinence tests. RESULTS: A correlation is observed between the ICIQ-SF and the amount of urine loss in the 1-hour and the 24-hour pad tests. However, the severity of urine loss established by instruments is less consistent. The 24-hour pad test is the one that obtained better correlation with the ICIQ-SF. CONCLUSIONS: The ICIQ-SF should be validated in a male population after prostatectomy in order to reinterpret the severity values observed in the different instruments studied. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

The influence of incontinence pads moisture at the loaded skin interface.

AIM: Prolonged mechanical loading on soft tissues adjacent to bony prominences can lead to pressure ulcers. The presence of moisture at the skin interface will lower the tolerance to load. Absorbent pads manage moisture in individuals with incontinence, although their role in maintaining skin health is unknown. The present study investigated the effects of moist incontinence pads on skin physiology after periods of mechanical loading. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve healthy participants were recruited to evaluate a single incontinence pad design under three moisture conditions: 0% (dry), 50% and 100% fluid capacity. For each pad condition, pressure (9 kPa) or pressure in combination with shear (3 N) was applied to the sacrum, followed by a period of off-loading. Measures included trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and inflammatory biomarkers sampled at the skin interface. RESULTS: Results revealed no change in TEWL in the loaded dry pad condition. By contrast, when the pads contained moisture, significant increases in TEWL were observed. These increases were reversed during off-loading. Inflammatory biomarkers, specifically IL-1α/total protein ratio, were up-regulated during dry pad loading, which recovered during off-loading. Loaded moist pads caused a significant increase in biomarkers, which remained elevated throughout the test period. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a marked compromise to stratum corneum integrity when the skin was exposed to moist incontinence pads in combination with mechanical loads. These physiological changes were largely reversed during off-loading. Incontinence pads provided some protection in the dry state, although more research is required to determine optimal clinical guidance for their use.

Long-term (>5 years) outcomes of patients implanted with artificial urinary sphincter: A single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: This study is conducted to evaluate the long-term outcomes, including effectiveness and complications, of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation in men with primarily stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with complete data sets and a continuous follow-up with the device in place for 5 years or more were included. We analyzed effectiveness through pads per day use, and complications were assessed based on device revisions and explantations. Various risk factors for revisions were evaluated and revision free-survival at 15 years was estimated. RESULTS: Thirty-four male patients were implanted and followed for a mean of 116.5 months (range: 60-285). Mean pads per day use was significantly decreased from 3.6 at baseline to 0.6 at 1 year, 1.1 at 5 years, and 1.06 at last visit (P < 0.0001). During follow-up, 12 patients (35%) required between 1 and 3 device revisions and 1 (3%) required 5. The device revision-free survival was 76% (confidence interval [CI] 58%-87%) at 5 years and 56% (CI 32%-75%) at 15 years. A higher mean number of dilations or incisions for bladder neck contractures was a statistically significant risk factor for revisions in univariate analysis (odds ratio 1.8; 95% CI 1.02-3.2). No other significant risk factors for revisions were found. Explantations were performed in four patients for device erosion at 60, 69, 153, and 200 months. CONCLUSIONS: The AUS provides excellent long-term outcomes with continued improvement in continence rates and <50% of patients requiring revisions at 15 years. The previous history of bladder neck contractures and dilations may predispose to an increased rate of revisions.

Correlation between the 1-hour and 24-hour pad test in the assessment of male patients with post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: This study is aimed at studying the correlation between the 1-hour and 24-hour pad tests for urinary incontinence following prostatectomy; the second objective is to check whether the severity level established by both tests is adequate for male urinary incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population includes patients who had undergone prostatectomy at a single center between February 2015 and December 2016, using 159 measurements consisting of 24-hour and 1-hour pad tests, belonging 45 patients. Both tests have been performed according to the protocol standardized by the International Continence Society. Once all the data have been obtained, the levels marked by each of the pads have been established, and the statistical analysis has started. RESULTS: The relationship between the amounts recorded in grams by the two test is highly significant (P=0.000), however, when comparing the incontinence levels established by each test (mild, moderate and severe), discrepancies have been found. The median of the severe cases in the 24-hour pad test was 389.5 grams, and in the 1-hour pad test was 92 grams. So, patient's loss values are well above the cut-off point defined for severe urinary incontinence in both 24-hour (50 grams) and 1-hour pad test (75 grams). CONCLUSIONS: There is a diagnostic discrepancy between the 24-hour pad test and the 1-hour pad test in terms of defined urinary incontinence severity levels. In our opinion, these levels should be redefined for male urinary incontinence since the amount of urine loss is well above the threshold established for severe incontinence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Continence Postcards versus Urinary Pad Logs: Simple Methods to Measure Early Pad-Free Urinary Continence after Radical Prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated whether a simple postcard reporting the date of becoming pad-free is accurate compared to a daily log of pad use to determine time to pad-free status after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Prospectively at the time of discharge home we gave 439 men treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between April 2010 and September 2014 a self-addressed stamped postcard to mark the date they attained pad-free urinary continence. In addition, we concurrently asked the men to fill out a daily urinary log of pad use to be faxed or emailed. RESULTS: Of the 439 men 193 (44%) reported their pad-free status via postcard and pad use log. The correlation of time to pad-free status via postcard compared to daily log was R2 = 0.98 (p <0.0001). Overall of the 439 men 292 (66%) returned a postcard and 309 men (70.4%) returned a urinary log. However, only 239 (54.4%) of the logs contained the date of pad-free status and, thus, the continence cards were more likely to report pad status correctly (p <0.001). In addition to the 66.5% continence card rate 7.7% of the logs provided additional pad-free dates, resulting in a combined pad-free return rate of 74.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Patient reported continence postcards or pad use logs are a simple, inexpensive and reliable way to determine pad-free continence after radical prostatectomy. Either method offers surgeons a low cost, dependable and easy way to track pad-free continence outcomes and their combined use resulted in a nearly 75% response rate.

Incontinence-associated dermatitis: reducing adverse events.

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a common problem in patients with faecal and/or urinary incontinence. Urine alters the normal skin flora and increases permeability of the stratum corneum and faecal enzymes on the skin contribute to skin damage. Faecal bacteria can then penetrate the skin, increasing the risk of secondary infection. However, IAD can be prevented and healed with timely and appropriate skin cleansing and skin protection. This includes appropriate use of containment devices. This article also looks at HARTMANN incontinence pads that have been developed to absorb the fluids that cause IAD and maintain the skin's acidic pH. The acidic pH of the skin contributes to its barrier function and defence against infection. Therefore, maintaining an acidic pH will help protect the skin from damage.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor administered immediately after radical prostatectomy temporarily increases the need for incontinence pads, but improves final continence status.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) on urinary continence recovery after bilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (BNSRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2012, 137 of 154 consecutive patients who underwent BNSRP in our institution retrospectively divided into 3 groups that included patients taking PDE5i immediately after surgery (immediate PDE5i group, n=41), patients starting PDE5i at an outpatient clinic after discharge (PDE5i group, n=56), and patients taking no medication (non-PDE5i group, n=40). Using self-administered questionnaires, the proportion of patients who did not require incontinence pads (pad-free patients) was calculated preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after BNSRP. Severity of incontinence was determined based on the pad numbers and then compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: Proportions of pad-free patients and severity of incontinence initially deteriorated in all of the groups to the lowest values soon after undergoing BNSRP, with gradual improvement noted thereafter. The deterioration was most prominent in the immediate PDE5i group. As compared to the non-PDE5i group, both the PDE5i and immediate PDE5i groups exhibited a better final continence status. CONCLUSIONS: PDE5i improves final continence status. However, administration of PDE5i immediately after surgery causes a distinct temporary deterioration in urinary incontinence.

Selecting appropriate absorbent products to treat urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence can have a significant negative effect on a person's life, especially if left unmanaged and untreated. Continence assessment, often carried out by community nurses, is an important element in the management of a person's urinary incontinence, and so is the selection of appropriate absorbent incontinence pads. This article reviews: the causes and effects of urinary incontinence; how to derive the most appropriate information from a continence assessment; strategies for selecting incontinence pads for a person, on the basis of the results of the continence assessment; and some of the problems and risks associated with the use of incontinence pads.

Use of continence pads to manage urinary incontinence in older people.

Urinary incontinence is a symptom that should be investigated and whenever possible treated in order to enable the person to regain continence. Sometimes, it is not possible or appropriate to promote continence, and the focus shifts to that of managing incontinence sensitively to enable the person to maintain dignity and avoid the complications of poorly managed urinary incontinence. This article examines how nurses and health professionals can promote wellbeing by assessing a person's need for incontinence pads, enabling the person to use the appropriate type of pad and minimising risks of skin damage, odour, embarrassment, and leakage.

The Worldwide Economic Impact of Neurogenic Bladder.

Costs of neurogenic bladder vary widely and depend on a number of factors including severity of disease, symptomatology, patient insurance, and devices required. Recognition of how each treatment strategy will impact the patient financially could help guide selection of treatment as well as improve compliance with the chosen regimen. We have attempted to provide an overview of long term cost considerations for the neurogenic bladder patient. Armed with this information, the practitioner can better help the patient select a bladder care regimen that balances the desire to both minimize symptoms now and preserve urinary tract integrity for the future, yet still remain cost effective.