Vitamin D Intake and Progression of Urinary Incontinence in Women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if vitamin D intake is associated with reduced progression of urgency urinary incontinence (UI) in women. METHODS: We used the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) I and NHSII cohorts to evaluate the association of vitamin D intake with progression of urgency UI and mixed UI, from mild-moderate to severe symptoms, from 2004 to 2012 (NHS) and 2005-2013 (NHSII). Intake of vitamin D at study baseline was categorized and updated at the start of each 2-4 year follow-up period. Multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of progression to severe UI were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: At baseline, of the 20,560 older women (age range 58-73 years) in NHS I with mild/moderate urgency or mixed UI, 21% reported oral vitamin D intake of at least 800 IU per day. Among 12,573 middle-aged women (age range 42-59) in NHS II with mild/moderate urgency or mixed UI, 17% reported oral vitamin D intake of at least 800 IU daily. From 2004 to 2012, 4853 incident cases of urgency/mixed UI progression were identified among older women. From 2005 to 2013, 1378 incident cases of urgency/mixed UI progression were identified among middle-aged women. After multivariable adjustment, no significant associations between vitamin D intake and incidence of urgency/mixed UI progression were observed in either cohort (RR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.99-1.23 in older women, RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.71, 1.10 in middle-aged women). CONCLUSION: Despite interest in vitamin D as a low-cost strategy to prevent or reduce UI, our findings indicate oral vitamin D may not reduce urgency/mixed UI progression.

A Prospective Study of the Association between Physical Activity and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Parous Middle-Aged Women: Results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

PURPOSE: We examined prospective associations between physical activity and a range of lower urinary tract symptoms in parous middle-aged women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used prospectively collected data on women participating in the ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children). Physical activity levels were self-reported at a mean ± SD age of 37.2 ± 4.6 years and translated into MET hours per week. A total of 4,126 and 2,770 women reported symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms, including stress, urgency and mixed incontinence, at 3 and 11.5 years of followup, respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of any lower urinary tract symptoms at 3 and 11.5 years of followup was 15% and 23% at a mean age of 40.5 and 49.3 years, respectively. At 3 years of followup women in the highest category of physical activity (43.2 MET hours or more per week) had lower odds of stress incontinence (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32-0.80) than women in the lowest category (0 MET hours per week). At 11.5 years of followup women in the highest category of physical activity had lower odds of stress incontinence (aOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.39-0.82), urgency incontinence (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.20-0.67) and mixed incontinence (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.19-0.63) compared to women in the lowest physical activity category. CONCLUSIONS: Greater physical activity is associated with reduced odds of lower urinary tract symptoms, especially stress incontinence, among middle-aged parous women. Further research is necessary to examine the impact of different types of physical activity on lower urinary tract symptoms.

Should the visceral peritoneum be closed over mesh in abdominal sacrocolpopexy?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Peritonisation of mesh during Abdominal sacrocolpopexy is generally advocated to prevent adhesions to the viscera; however, randomized clinical trials are lacking. In this study; we aimed to investigate whether the mesh peritonisation is clinically significant or not. MATERIAL METHOD: Thirty-four patients who were operated for the reason of pelvic organ prolapse were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups by retrospective scanning from the files and surgical reports. Group 1 patients consisted of those who underwent peritonisation and group 2 patients consisted of those who did not in abdominal sacrocolpopexy. RESULTS: Operative time and the amount of blood lost were statistically less in the group 2. Postoperative pain and analgesic drug requirements were obviously higher in the group 1. Postoperative De novo dyspareunia and urinary urgency were higher in the group 1. There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of other complications. CONCLUSION: We noticed that there was no difference between the patients who were peritonized and those who were not in terms of postoperative complications.

Effects of urine alkalinization with sodium bicarbonate orally on lower urinary tract symptoms in female patients: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: In this study, we planned to explore the effects of sodium bicarbonate orally (NaHCO3) treatment on female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) who have acidic urine pH values (<6). METHODS: NaHCO3 was given orally to 33 female patients for 4 weeks at a dose of 2 × 4 g/day. Laboratory values, bladder diary, the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition Score (PPBC), Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale (PPIUS), Overactive Bladder-Validated 8-question Awareness tool (OAB-V8), Pelvic Pain and Urgency & Frequency Patient Symptom Scale tests (PUFSS), and the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) scores before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS: A significant increase was detected in urine pH values measured after treatment (5.31 ± 0.52 to 7.2 ± 0.66, p < 0.001), but not in blood pH values (7.369 ± 0.33 to 7.384 ± 0.28, p = 0.14). After treatment, a significant decrease was detected in daily frequency, nocturia, urgency, and urge incontinence prevalence (p < 0.001,p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively) and PPBC, PPIUS, PUFSS, and OAB-V8 symptom scores (p = 0.004, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). A significant decrease was detected in all KHQ subunit scores. CONCLUSION: Urine alkalinization with NaHCO3 orally in female patients with LUTS and acidic urine pH has a significant level of positive effects on symptoms and symptom scores. Our results show that this new treatment modality-which is inexpensive, easy to use, and has a low side-effect profile is effective in this chronic patient group.

Changing trends in the etiology and management of vesicovaginal fistula.

Vesicovaginal fistula has remained a scourge and of public health importance, causing significant morbidity, and psychological and social problems to the patient. Continuous wetness, odor and discomfort cause serious social issues. The diagnosis has been traditionally based on clinical evaluation, dye testing, cystoscopic examination and contrast studies. A successful repair of such fistulas requires an accurate diagnosis and timely surgical intervention using techniques that are based on basic surgical principles with or without the use of interpositional flaps. The method of repair depends on the type and location of the fistula, and the surgeon's training and expertise. The main complications are recurrence and stress/urge incontinence. Prevention must include universal education, improvement in the social and nutritional status of women, discouraging early marriages, and the provision of improved accessible healthcare services.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to compare solifenacin versus trospium chloride in the relief of double-J stent-related symptoms.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of solifenacin versus trospium chloride and compare each drug versus placebo regarding the relief of stent-related symptoms following uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL). METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 210 eligible patients who underwent URSL with double-J stent insertion were recruited and randomly assigned to either the first group, receiving solifenacin (10 mg), second group, receiving trospium chloride (60 mg), or the third group, receiving placebo (one tablet). All patients were kept on study medication once daily during the entire 2-week postoperative period. All subjects were asked to complete a brief-form questionnaire to assess the lower urinary symptoms, stent-related body pain and hematuria, preoperatively and 2 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences among the study groups in terms of mean age, gender, anthropometric measurements, stone and stent criteria. The overall symptom score, urgency, urge incontinence, flank pain, urethral pain and gross hematuria scores were significantly lower in solifenacin group compared to trospium chloride and placebo groups (p < 0.001). Concerning frequency and nocturia, there was no significant difference in mean scores across all groups. Drug-related side effects, particularly constipation, were higher in trospium group than in solifenacin one. CONCLUSIONS: Solifenacin treatment showed significant improvement in almost all domains of stent-related symptoms than trospium. In terms of safety and tolerance, both drugs were comparable. Future studies should be designed to address the impact of combined drugs and lower doses in the management of DJ stent-related symptoms.

Long-term functional results after unilateral mid-urethral sling transection for voiding dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term outcomes of unilateral mid-urethral sling transection to treat voiding dysfunction after synthetic mid-urethral sling placement for stress urinary incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-three patients who underwent an unilateral sling transection were analyzed retrospectively. Patient records were analyzed for subjective outcome, and pre- and postoperative flow patterns were used as objective outcome parameters. RESULTS: At the first postoperative follow-up, 77.3% of the patients remained dry. After a mean follow-up of 42 months, 73.9% of patients were continent. The flow pattern after lateral sling transection was significantly better than pre-operatively, with higher maximum flow rate (24.2ml/s, p=0.001), higher mean flow rate (10.4ml/s, p=0.001), higher voided volume (308.5ml, p=0.002) and lower residual volume (28.7ml, p=0.003). At final postoperative follow-up, eight patients (34.8%) reported urgency and six patients (26.1%) were incontinent; four of these patients (17.4%) mainly had urge incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral mid-urethral sling transection is a safe, effective technique to treat voiding symptoms with good preservation of continence. The technique repairs the obstructive flow effectively. Urgency and urge incontinence after mid-urethral sling placement are difficult to treat with transection alone.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus tolterodine for overactive bladder in women: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a randomised controlled trial of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) versus tolterodine for treating treatment naïve women with overactive bladder (OAB). STUDY DESIGN: 36 patients with symptoms of OAB were randomised to 3 months of treatment with weekly PTNS or tolterodine (2mg bid p.o.). The primary outcome measure was the difference of micturitions per 24h. The secondary outcome measure was the impact on quality of life (QoL) measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS) between baseline and after 3 months of therapy. RESULTS: Micturition frequencies did not decline significantly (p=0.13) over time and there were no significant treatment differences (p=0.96). QoL was significantly dependent from its level at baseline (p=0.002) and showed improvement over time compared to baseline measurements but no significant differences between both treatment groups (p=0.07). Incontinence episodes per 24h depended significantly on the level at baseline (p=0.0001) and declined significantly (p=0.03) during 3 months of therapy in both therapy groups. However no significant treatment differences on the reduction of incontinence episodes in 24h could be shown between both therapy groups (p=0.89). PTNS had fewer side effects than tolterodine (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: PTNS and tolterodine were both effective in reducing incontinence episodes and improving QoL in patients with OAB but not micturition frequencies. PTNS had fewer side effects.

Essential role of transient receptor potential M8 (TRPM8) in a model of acute cold-induced urinary urgency.

BACKGROUND: Acute exposure of part of the skin to cold stimuli can evoke urinary urgency, a phenomenon termed acute cold-induced urgency (ACIU). Despite its high prevalence, particularly in patients with overactive bladder, little is known about the mechanisms that induce ACIU. OBJECTIVE: To develop an animal model of ACIU and test the involvement of cold-activated ion channels transient receptor potential (TRP) M8 and TRPA1. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Intravesical pressure and micturition were monitored in female mice (wild-type C57BL/6J, Trpa1(-/-), Trpm8(+/+), and Trpm8(-/-)) and Sprague Dawley rats. INTERVENTIONS: An intravesical catheter was implanted. Localized cooling of the skin was achieved using a stream of air or topical acetone. The TRPM8 antagonist (N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-{[(3-methylphenyl) methyl]oxy}-N-(2-thienylmethyl)benzamide (AMTB) or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Frequencies of bladder contractions and voids in response to sensory stimuli were compared using the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Brief, innocuously cold stimuli applied to different parts of the skin evoked rapid bladder contractions and voids in anesthetized mice and rats. These responses were strongly attenuated in Trpm8(-/-) mice and in rats treated with AMTB. As rodent bladder physiology differs from that of humans, it is difficult to directly extrapolate our findings to human patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that ACIU is an evolutionarily conserved reflex rather than subconscious conditioning, and provide a useful in vivo model for further investigation of the underlying mechanisms. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPM8 may be useful for treating ACIU symptoms in patients. PATIENT SUMMARY: Brief cold stimuli applied to the skin can evoke a sudden desire to urinate, which can be highly bothersome in patients with overactive bladder. We developed an animal model to study this phenomenon, and found that it depends on a specific molecular cold sensor, transient receptor potential M8 (TRPM8). Pharmacological inhibition of TRPM8 may alleviate acute cold-induced urinary urgency in humans.

Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and its impact on health-related quality of life in patients with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: A randomized controlled trial study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) and sham TTNS, in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS: Thirteen patients with a diagnosis of PD and bothersome LUTS were randomly allocated to one of the following groups: Group I: TTNS group (n = 8) and group II: Sham group (n = 5). Both groups attended twice a week during 5 weeks; each session lasted 30 minutes. METHODS: Eight patients received TTNS treatment and 5 subjects allocated to group II were managed with sham surface electrodes that delivered no electrical stimulation. Assessments were performed before and after the treatment; they included a 3-day bladder diary, Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8), and the International Consultation on Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and urodynamic evaluation. RESULTS: Following 5 weeks of treatment, patients allocated to TTNS demonstrated statistically significant reductions in the number of urgency episodes (P = .004) and reductions in nocturia episodes (P < .01). Participants allocated to active treatment also showed better results after treatment in the OAB-V8 and ICIQ-SF scores (P < .01, respectively). Urodynamic testing revealed that patients in the active treatment group showed improvements in intravesical volume at strong desire to void (P < .05) and volume at urgency (P < .01) when compared to subjects in the sham treatment group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that TTNS is effective in the treatment of LUTS in patients with PD, reducing urgency and nocturia episodes and improving urodynamic parameters as well as symptom scores measured by the OAB-V8 and health-related quality-of-life scores measured by the ICIQ-SF.

Does a midurethral sling inserted at the time of pelvic organ prolapse mesh surgery increase the rate of de novo OAB? A prospective longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 20% of women suffer from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Furthermore, POP and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms often coexist. Midurethral slings and mesh surgeries are both considered to be risk factors for de novo OAB symptoms. The aim of our study was to determine whether simultaneous midurethral sling insertion at the time of pelvic organ prolapse mesh surgery further increases the risk of de novo OAB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 234 women who underwent surgery in our department between August 2007 and October 2009 (114 patients underwent surgery because of coexisting POP and SUI, and 120 underwent surgery because POP alone). The patients were evaluated at follow-up visits scheduled after 6-8 weeks and after 12 months. All women underwent surgery using the Gynecare Prolift Pelvic Floor Repair System, whereas in women with additional overt or occult SUI after restoration of the pelvic anatomy monofilament midurethral slings were simultaneously inserted. The chi-squared test was used to compare the study groups. RESULTS: De novo OAB symptoms were significantly more pronounced among women in the Prolift only surgery group (23.3%) compared to the Prolift with IVS04M group (10.5%; p = 0.0093). CONCLUSIONS: Midurethral sling insertion at the time of pelvic organ prolapse surgery significantly decreases the rate of postoperative de novo OAB symptoms. The lack of anatomical success of the mesh-based reconstructive surgery is a risk factor for the development of de novo OAB symptoms.

O uso da eletroestimulação no nervo tibial posterior no tratamento da incontinência urinária / Electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve in treatment of urinary incontinence / Uso de la electroestimulación en el nervio tibial posterior en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eletroestimulação no nervo tibial posterior no tratamento da incontinência urinária de urgência ou mista. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quase experimental com oito pacientes, com diagnóstico de incontinência urinária de urgência ou mista, realizada no Estado de Santa Catarina, em 2010. A avaliação incluiu ficha de avaliação fisioterapêutica, diário miccional e questionário de qualidade de vida - King’s Health Questionnaire. Foram realizados 12 atendimentos de 30 minutos com eletroestimulação no nervo tibial posterior. Os resultados mostram redução na frequência de perdas urinárias diurnas em 62% das pacientes, diminuição da frequência miccional noturna em 37,5% e redução da quantidade das perdas urinárias, de intensa para moderada e de moderada para leve. Não se observou diferença significativa nos escores do questionário de qualidade de vida após o tratamento. Conclui-se que o método estudado apresentou impacto positivo nas pacientes em relação às perdas involuntárias de urina e à quantidade de urina perdida...

The aim of this study was to evaluate electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve in treating urgency or mixed urinary incontinence. This quasi-experimental study of eight patients with a diagnosis of urgency or mixed urinary incontinence, was conducted in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, in 2010. The assessment included a physical therapy evaluation form, bladder diary and King’s Health Quality of Life Questionnaire. Twelve 30-minutes procedures of electro-stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve were performed. The results show reduced frequency of daytime urinary incontinence in 62% of the patients, decreased nocturnal urinary frequency in 37.5%, and reduction of urinary leakage from severe to moderate and moderate to mild. No significant difference in quality of life questionnaire scores was observed after treatment. It was concluded that the method studied had positive impact on patients’ involuntary urine loss and the amount of urine lost...

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la electroestimulación del nervio tibial posterior en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de urgencia o mixta. Se trata de una investigación casi experimental con ocho pacientes, con diagnóstico de incontinencia urinaria de urgencia o mixta, realizada en el Estado de Santa Catarina – Brasil, en 2010. La evaluación incluye ficha de evaluación fisioterapéutica, diario miccional y cuestionario de calidad de vida King’s Health Questionnaire. Se realizaron 12 atenciones de 30 minutos con electroestimulación del nervio tibial posterior. Los resultados muestran reducción en la frecuencia de pérdidas urinarias diurnas en 62% de las pacientes, disminución de la frecuencia miccional nocturna en 37,5% y reducción de la cantidad de orina de las pérdidas urinarias, de intensa a moderada y de moderada a leve. No se observó diferencia significativa en los resultados del cuestionario de calidad de vida después del tratamiento. Se concluye que el método estudiado presentó impacto positivo en las pacientes con relación a las pérdidas involuntarias de orina y a la cantidad de orina perdida...

Streamlining biofeedback for urge incontinence.

The aim of this study was to determine the important elements of biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle exercises to treat urge incontinence. Urge suppression and pelvic floor muscle exercises were most beneficial. Responders can be identified early in treatment, allowing for fewer sessions.

Superiority of fesoterodine 8 mg vs 4 mg in reducing urgency urinary incontinence episodes in patients with overactive bladder: results of the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled EIGHT trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the superiority of fesoterodine 8 mg vs 4 mg for improvement in urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes and other diary variables, diary-dry rate (proportion of patients with >0 UUI episodes on baseline diary and 0 UUI episodes on post-baseline diary), and improvements in measures of symptom bother, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational trial of men and women aged ≥18 years with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms including UUI (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01302067). Patients were randomised (2:2:1) to receive fesoterodine 8 mg, fesoterodine 4 mg, or placebo once daily; those randomised to fesoterodine 8 mg started with fesoterodine 4 mg once daily for 1 week, then 8 mg once daily for the remaining 11 weeks. Patients completed bladder diaries at baseline and weeks 4 and 12 and the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), Urgency Perception Scale (UPS), and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q) at baseline and week 12. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to week 12 in UUI episodes per 24 h. RESULTS: At week 12, patients receiving fesoterodine 8 mg (779 patients) had significantly greater reductions from baseline in UUI episodes, micturitions, and urgency episodes than patients receiving fesoterodine 4 mg (790) or placebo (386); diary-dry rate was significantly higher in the fesoterodine 8-mg group vs the fesoterodine 4-mg and placebo groups (all P < 0.05). At week 12, patients receiving fesoterodine 8 mg also had significantly greater improvements in scores on the PPBC, UPS, and all OAB-q scales and domains than patients receiving fesoterodine 4 mg or placebo (all P < 0.01). Patients receiving fesoterodine 4 mg had significantly greater improvements in UUI episodes, urgency episodes, and micturitions; significantly higher diary-dry rates; and significantly greater improvement in PPBC scores and OAB-q scores than patients receiving placebo (all P < 0.05). Dry mouth was the most commonly reported adverse event (AE) in the fesoterodine groups (placebo group, 3.4%; fesoterodine 4-mg group, 12.9%; fesoterodine 8-mg group, 26.1%); most cases were mild or moderate in all treatment groups. Rates of serious AEs and discontinuations due to AEs were low in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: In a 12-week, prospectively designed, superiority trial, fesoterodine 8 mg showed statistically significantly superior efficacy vs fesoterodine 4 mg and placebo, as measured by reductions in UUI episodes and other diary variables, diary-dry dry rate, and improvements in measures of symptom bother, HRQL, and other PROs; clear evidence of dose-dependent efficacy is unique to fesoterodine among antimuscarinics and other oral agents for the treatment of OAB. Fesoterodine 4 mg was significantly more effective than placebo on all outcomes except for improvements in UPS scores. These data support the benefit of having two doses of fesoterodine in clinical practice, with the recommended starting dose of 4 mg for all patients and the fesoterodine 8-mg dose available for patients who require a higher dose to achieve optimal symptom relief.

The effect of pelvic organ prolapse severity on improvement in overactive bladder symptoms after pelvic reconstructive surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study evaluates the effect of baseline pelvic organ prolapse (POP) severity on improvement in overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms after pelvic reconstructive surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of women with POP and OAB who underwent surgical correction of symptomatic apical and/or anterior POP. OAB was defined as an affirmative response to item #15 (urinary frequency) and/or item #16 (urge incontinence) of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI). POP severity was dichotomized as Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) stage 1-2 versus stage 3-4. Our primary outcome was complete resolution or improvement of urinary frequency or urge incontinence on the PFDI 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 12 months postoperative, 41 (89%) women with stage 1-2 POP versus 47 (85 %) with stage 3-4 POP reported improvement in urinary frequency (p = 0.58). Thirty five (90 %) with stage 1-2 and 34 (85 %) with stage 3-4 POP reported improvement in urge incontinence (p = 0.74). On multiple logistic regression, women with stage 3-4 POP had a decreased odds of improvement in frequency or urge incontinence compared with women with stage 1-2 POP (adjusted odds ration [AOR] = 0.06 [95 % CI 0.01-0.67]), after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Women with coexisting POP and OAB who undergo surgical correction of POP experience improvement in OAB symptoms after surgery, although women with more severe POP may be at a higher risk of persistent frequency or urge incontinence.

Determining outcomes, adverse events, and predictors of success after sacral neuromodulation for lower urinary disorders in women.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of successful treatment of lower urinary tract disorders with sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) and the rate of adverse events and reoperations. METHODS: A retrospective case series of patients who underwent SNS at a single institution was analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients underwent stage I trial of SNS. Fifty-eight (76%) patients experienced improvement and underwent placement of an implantable pulse generator with a mean follow-up of 23.7 months (SD ± 22.3). Surgical revisions occurred in 14/58 (24%) patients and 15/58 (26%) patients had the device explanted after a mean of 2.8 years (SD ± 1.7). Patients with greater than ten incontinence episodes per day were more likely to have a successful stage I trial compared to those with less than five (OR = 10.3; 95% CI 2.1 to 50.60). CONCLUSIONS: Although SNS is a safe and effective therapy for lower urinary tract disorders, it is associated with a high reoperation rate.

Impact of Prolift procedure on bladder function and symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to investigate the impact of the Prolift procedure on bladder function and symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: Seventy-one consecutive patients who underwent the Prolift procedure were evaluated on the subjective reporting of symptoms and objective urodynamic measurements pre- and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Subjective symptoms significantly improved after surgery included frequency, urgency incontinence, straining to void, incomplete bladder emptying, and poor urine stream but the incidence of stress urinary incontinence was unchanged. Compared with preoperative urodynamic measurements, the residual urine volume, maximal bladder capacity, and urethral closure pressure significantly decreased postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: After 1-year follow-up, the Prolift procedure resulted in reduced storage function and impaired bladder capacity urodynamically, but emptying function improved. Lower urinary tract symptoms were significantly improved, except for an unchanged incidence of stress urinary incontinence. Women should be informed of the possible impacts before the procedure.

Impact of solifenacin on diary-recorded and patient-reported urgency in patients with severe overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: It is widely recognized that patient perception of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms can vary considerably from mild to severe bother. This post hoc analysis reports outcomes in patients with severe OAB symptoms at baseline taken from the VESIcare Efficacy and Safety in PatieNts with Urgency Study (VENUS). METHODS: VENUS was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of solifenacin (5 or 10 mg/day, flexibly dosed) in OAB patients. The primary endpoint in VENUS was mean change from baseline to study end in urgency episodes/day using 3-day bladder diaries. Secondary endpoints included other diary endpoints (frequency, incontinence, and nocturia), warning time (WT; time between first sensation of urgency to voiding), and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures of urgency (the Indevus Urgency Severity Scale [IUSS] and Urgency Perception Scale [UPS]) and of symptom bother and health-related quality of life (HRQL) (the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition [PPBC] and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire). For this analysis, severe OAB was defined as baseline PPBC score ≥5 (1 = no problems, 6 = many severe problems). TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00454896. RESULTS: In total, 158/707 (22.3%) patients in the full analysis set (FAS) reported severe OAB symptoms. Solifenacin reduced mean urgency episodes/day versus placebo in the severe subgroup (-4.6 vs. -3.1, p = 0.1150), similar to the significant reduction observed in the FAS (-3.9 vs. -2.7, p < 0.0001). Solifenacin also improved the other diary endpoints and PRO measures in the severe subgroup; these changes were consistent with the significant solifenacin- versus placebo-related improvements for the FAS. Treatment-emergent adverse events were mostly mild/moderate, and few patients taking solifenacin or placebo discontinued treatment in the severe subgroup (4.5% vs. 6.5%) or FAS (6.5% vs. 4.6%). Key limitations are that VENUS was not powered to detect treatment differences in subgroups, and that the lack of a standardized definition of OAB symptom severity may limit the generalizability of the findings. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe OAB symptoms showed objective and subjective improvements in symptoms, symptom bother, HRQL, and urgency severity with solifenacin similar to the FAS. Solifenacin was also well-tolerated in this subgroup.

Demographic and urodynamic factors associated with persistent OAB after anterior compartment prolapse repair.

INTRODUCTION: Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms often accompany pelvic organ prolapse. While there seems to be a relationship between symptom resolution and anatomic repair, a subset of patients will not experience improvement in OAB symptoms. Our aim was to identify preoperative demographic and urodynamic (UD) parameters related to persistence of OAB symptoms after anterior vaginal prolapse (AVP) repair. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study examined demographic and UD data from patients undergoing AVP surgery. Pre- and post-operative Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scores for frequency, urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and difficulty voiding were analyzed, as were correlations between scores and pre-operative UD data. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2008, 88 patients underwent AVP repair and were included in the final analysis. Surgery resulted in a reduction of frequency (33%), UUI (49%), and difficulty voiding (74%) at median 21 months follow-up. Change in symptom scores was unrelated to age, parity, BMI, or AVP grade, although older women reported greater improvement in difficulty emptying after repair. Improvement in difficulty emptying was related to a larger pre-operative post-void residual (PVR) (129 ml vs. 31 ml, P = 0.0008). Persistent UUI after repair was significantly related to a higher preoperative P(det)Q(max) (OR 1.056, 95% CI 1.003-1.11, P = 0.04). Other pre-operative UDS variables were not significantly related to the persistence of OAB symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: AVP repair reduces lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS); however, 67% and 51% of patients will report persistent frequency and UUI, respectively, post-operatively. In this cohort, persistent OAB symptoms were not related to age, parity, BMI, or prolapse grade, but rather to pre-operative P(det)Q(max).