A Cost-Utility Analysis of Nonsurgical Treatments for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women:

Evaluation and Management of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Female stress urinary incontinence, the loss of urine with transient increases in abdominal pressure, is a common condition that can profoundly impact a patient's quality of life. The diagnosis is most commonly made via clinical history, including the subjective degree of bother, and physical examination evidence of urinary leakage with cough or Valsalva maneuver. A variety of treatment options exist for stress incontinence, ranging from observation, pelvic floor physical therapy, vaginal inserts, or continence pessaries to procedural interventions. Observation and conservative measures (eg, pads) can be used if the patient is not bothered by their symptoms. Nonsurgical management options include pelvic floor physical therapy, vaginal inserts, or continence pessaries. Procedural interventions include urethral bulking agent injection, synthetic mesh midurethral sling placement, autologous fascial pubovaginal sling placement, or retropubic colposuspension. Each procedure has a unique set of risks and benefits, with the choice of operation depending on a variety of factors including severity of stress incontinence, anatomy, medical and surgical comorbidities, and patient preferences. Ultimately, shared decision-making between the patient and the physician is used to decide the management strategy. This collaborative approach facilitates alignment of the chosen intervention with the patient's unique circumstances and preferences. We review relevant clinical considerations in the evaluation and management of female stress incontinence.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Midurethral Sling Timing Among Women Undergoing Prolapse Surgery

IMPORTANCE

There are no guidelines regarding the ideal timing of midurethral sling (MUS) placement following prolapse repair.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-utility of concomitant MUS versus staged MUS among women undergoing apical suspension surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

STUDY DESIGN

Cost-utility modeling using a decision analysis tree compared concomitant MUS with staged MUS over a 1-year time horizon. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Six scenarios were modeled to estimate cost-utilities for women with preoperative overt, occult, or no stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who underwent either minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy or vaginal native tissue apical suspension. Possible complications of de novo overactive bladder, urinary retention requiring sling lysis, mesh exposure, and persistent SUI were included. Costs from a third-party payer perspective were derived from Medicare 2022 reimbursements. One-way sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Among women without preoperative SUI, staged MUS was the dominant strategy for both surgical routes with higher utility and lower costs. For women with either occult or overt SUI undergoing sacrocolpopexy or vaginal repair, concomitant MUS was cost-effective (ICER = $21,114-$96,536 per quality-adjusted life-year). Therefore, concomitant MUS is preferred for patients with preoperative SUI as higher costs were offset by higher effectiveness. One-way sensitivity analyses demonstrated that ICERs were most affected by probability of cure following MUS.

CONCLUSIONS

A staged MUS procedure is the dominant strategy for women undergoing apical prolapse repair without preoperative SUI. In women with either overt or occult SUI, the ICER was below the willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year, suggesting that concomitant MUS surgery is cost-effective.

Relationship between depression, anxiety, and attendance at pelvic-floor muscle training sessions

OBJECTIVES

Psychological comorbidities are associated with non-attendance for pelvic-floor muscle training (PFMT) appointments and non-engagement with ongoing treatment. However, little direct work has examined the precise relationship between these variables.

DESIGN

A prospective observational study of consecutively referred women patients with Pelvic-floor Dysfunction. Patients were assessed at intake for age, BMI, pelvic symptoms (measured by the Queensland Pelvic Symptom Scale), and anxiety and depression (measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales).

SETTING

A women's health physiotherapy outpatient unit of a metropolitan hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

433 consecutively-referred women with pelvic-floor dysfunction (PFD).

INTERVENTIONS

Six sessions of PFMT, lasting over a period of 6 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Attendance at PFMT sessions was the outcome, and was related to intake patient age, BMI, pelvic symptoms, as well as anxiety and depression.

RESULTS

Psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety predicted attendance at PFMT sessions, over and above physical symptoms. Depression was the key predictor of non-attendance, with anxiety having a more complex relationship with attendance. There were few differences between these psychological variables and the different types of PFD, or between type of PFD and PFMT attendance.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings add to the literature suggesting that consideration of patients' psychological state is important when designing treatment-regimes. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

Financial Toxicity for Female Patients with Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common global condition that has been noted to disproportionately affect women. In this review, the authors present discussion of factors contributing to cost of care and various modalities of cost-effective care for UI for female patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

We found insurance and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs strongly impact of costs for patients. Further, in evaluation of UI, diagnosis can be a costly multi-step process for effective treatment. Treatment can be multimodal, including non-surgical (e.g., pessary, vaginal insert, pelvic floor muscle training, or PFMT), of which PFMT is a cost-effective, effective, and accessible treatment. Pharmacologic management is generally second-line for overactive bladder, but anti-muscarinic drugs and beta-3 agonists are cost-effective depending on willingness-to-pay and the health system in which they are acquired, respectively. Surgical management is considered the most cost-effective treatment as willingness-to-pay increased, with minimally invasive slings being the mainstay. Other relatively novel treatments are also discussed (e.g., EMSELLA) but require further research. Additionally, we discuss systematic barriers in decisions to seek care for urinary incontinence. Urologists are key agents in treating UI for their female patients, and seeking cost-effective options for treatment remains pivotal for quality care.

Change in depression predicts change in bladder symptoms for women with urinary incontinence undergoing pelvic-floor muscle training

INTRODUCTION

To examine the relationship between depression and bladder symptoms, especially the impact of change in depression on changes in bladder symptoms, for women with urge and stress urinary incontinence undergoing a course of PFMT.

METHOD

106 adult females with pelvic-floor dysfunction (PFD), consecutively referred to an outpatient pelvic-floor muscle training (PFMT) programme for either urge, stress, or mixed incontinence, participated in a prospective observational study. Participants reported subjective views of their pelvic floor problems (Queensland), and their levels of depression (HADS_D), and data relating to age and BMI were collected. The trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02549157).

RESULTS

There was a positive relationship between depression and bladder symptoms at intake. Levels of initial depression significantly predicted levels of bladder symptoms at completion of PFMT, and ability to complete the PFMT programme. Change in depression significantly predicted change in bladder symptoms, over and above intake patient characteristics and symptoms.

DISCUSSION

These data imply a multidisciplinary focus, including psychological input, for PFD may be a highly effective strategy for its management.

Patient and economic benefits of psychological support for noncompliant patients

The current paper provides an overview of treatment noncompliance at various points in the treatment pathway, especially with respect to treatment for Pelvic-floor Dysfunction (PFD). The effects of noncompliance on healthcare are considered, and examples of supporting patients psychologically to increase compliance are discussed. An outline of a method to identify costs of non-compliance, and where such costs most intensely impact the healthcare system, is provided. It is suggested that psychological support is effective in terms of increased compliance and improved healthcare economics. The model is presented for PFD, but the principles developed can be generalised to many aspects of healthcare.

Clinical Study on the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence With Modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction

Purpose

To study the clinical application value of Modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

A total of 103 female patients with SUI were included in this study, 13 were lost to follow-up, and the final number of studies was 90. General information about the patients, including age, years of menopause, body mass index (BMI), reproductive history, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, and diabetes, were recorded. All the patients were treated with Modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction alone for 4 weeks. The Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICI-QSF) and 72-h voiding diary were used to evaluate the patients' subjective symptoms and urinary incontinence degree before treatment, 1 month after treatment and 1 year after treatment, the efficacy and efficacy-related factors of Modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction in the treatment of female SUI were analyzed.

Results

One month after Modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction treatment, compared with before treatment, the PGI-I questionnaire was very much better (68.89%), much better (8.89%), a little better (12.33%), no change (8.89%), the ICI-QSF score decreased (P < 0.05), and 72-h urine leakage frequency decreased (P < 0.05); One year after treatment compared with before treatment, the PGI-I questionnaire was very much better (40.00%), much better (17.78%), a little better (12.22%), no change (30.00%), the ICI-QSF score decreased (P < 0.05), and 72-h urine leakage frequency decreased (P < 0.05); and 1 year after treatment compared with 1 month after treatment, the ratio of very much better at 1 year after treatment was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the score of the ICI-QSF was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and 72-h urine leakage frequency was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed that the efficacy at 1 month after treatment was negatively correlated with the severity of SUI and chronic respiratory diseases, but was not significantly correlated with age, menopause status, BMI, number of pregnancies, and number of births. The efficacy at 1 year after treatment was negatively correlated with the severity of SUI, chronic respiratory disease, age, and number of births and was positively correlated with BMI, but not significantly correlated with menopause status and number of pregnancies.

Conclusion

Modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction can effectively treat SUI in women. The efficacy is related to the severity of SUI and chronic abdominal hypertension, but the long-term efficacy decreases.

Assessment of the Pelvic Floor and Associated Musculoskeletal System: Guide for Medical Practitioners

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assist practitioners in performing an accurate assessment of the external and internal pelvic musculoskeletal (MSK) systems to improve appropriate diagnosis and referral of patients with pelvic floor disorders or pelvic pain and to improve understanding of physical therapy (PT) treatment principles, thereby improving communication between practitioners and encouraging a multidisciplinary approach.

METHODS

A referenced review of the anatomy of the pelvic floor muscles, pelvis, and surrounding structures, followed by a detailed assessment of anatomy, posture, and gait, is presented. A thorough description of PT assessment and treatment is included with clinical relevance.

RESULTS

When proper assessments are routinely performed, MSK conditions can be recognized, allowing for prompt and appropriate referrals to PT. Assessment and treatment by qualified physical therapists are integral to pelvic health care. After efficient medical assessment, MSK dysfunction can be addressed expeditiously, thereby avoiding further decline. Left unaddressed, pelvic dysfunction may become chronic.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose a guide for MSK assessment of the pelvis and associated structures that can be used for both clinical and research purposes. This guide is designed for health care providers caring for women with pelvic floor disorders, including physicians, advanced practice providers, and nurses. This guide serves to improve communication among multidisciplinary practitioners to refine MSK assessment and treatment approaches and thereby advance clinical care and research.

Home Biofeedback Versus Physical Therapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess whether home biofeedback is noninferior to supervised pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women.

METHODS

The study used a randomized controlled noninferiority trial to compare a home biofeedback device with PFPT. Women older than 18 years with SUI and no history of a prior incontinence surgery or PFPT were eligible. Forty-two participants were required to determine noninferiority for the primary outcome, improvement in quality of life as measured by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form. The noninferiority margin was 4 points. Secondary outcomes included sexual function, overactive bladder symptoms, and patient impression of improvement.

RESULTS

From June 2018 to October 2019, 54 women with SUI were recruited (27 biofeedback, 27 PFPT) and 43 (21 biofeedback, 22 PFPT) completed follow-up. The groups had comparable baseline characteristics. For the primary outcome of change in mean International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form scores (where lower scores indicate less incontinence), home biofeedback was found to be noninferior to PFPT with a mean decrease from baseline of -3.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.21 to -5.70) in the home biofeedback group versus -4.73 (95% CI = -3.21 to -6.25) and -3.95 (95% CI = -2.21 to -5.70) in the PFPT group (P = 0.009). The PFPT group showed more improvement in overactive bladder symptoms, but not in incontinence severity without difference in sexual function.

CONCLUSIONS

Home biofeedback was noninferior to PFPT for the primary treatment of SUI in women at 3 months. These results support the use of personal biofeedback devices for the treatment of SUI.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03443687.

A randomized trial comparing continence pessary to continence device (Poise Impressa®) for stress incontinence

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

To conduct a multi-centered randomized trial evaluating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatment based on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement score after 4 weeks using a continence pessary (CP) or a disposable intravaginal continence device (DICD). The null hypothesis is no difference in treatment success between cohorts.

METHODS

This parallel group, active treatment comparative effectiveness trial randomized women with SUI to either CP or DICD for 4 weeks in a 1:1 allocation ratio. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, UTI, postmenopausal bleeding, neurogenic bladder, urinary retention, prolapse, contraindication to or prior treatment with CP/DICD, and prior SUI surgery. Assuming an 80% power, an alpha of 5% and 20% dropout, we needed 138 participants to detect 50% success with CP versus 25% with DICD. Due to slow enrollment, the study was stopped after 16 months with 50 participants enrolled.

RESULTS

Of the 50 women enrolled, 25 (50%) were randomized to CP and 25 (50%) to DICD. Thirty-five of 50 (70%) completed a fitting, and 22/50 (44%) completed 4-week and 17/50 (34%) completed 6-month follow-up. Baseline characteristics were similar, and there was high treatment success in each cohort [80% (8/10) CP vs. 75% (9/12) DICD; p = 1.0]. DICD patients showed improvement on all questionnaires but had higher use of other therapies over 6 months. CP patients showed improvements except for lower sexual function scores at 4 weeks. No serious adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Most women fitted with a CP/DICD experienced treatment success after 4 weeks without serious adverse events.

Female Pelvic Fistulae

Female pelvic fistulae are a pathologic connection between the urinary or gastrointestinal tract and the genital tract. Although this condition has been present for millennia, successful surgical treatments have only been described for the past few hundred years. In developed nations, the most common cause of genitourinary fistulae is benign gynecologic surgery, but worldwide it is obstetric trauma. Fistulae management is rooted in surgical intervention with the highest probability of success associated with the first repair.

Cluster randomised control trial of the effect on attendance and outcomes of multi-disciplinary teams involving psychologists during pelvic floor muscle training for pelvic floor dysfunction

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective, acceptable to patients, and cost efficient as a treatment for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD). However, PFMT outcomes are mediated by patient variables, such as depression, anxiety, motivation, and health values. The current study examined whether multi-disciplinary provision of PFMT involving a psychologist would improve attendance and outcomes (Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02549157). 88 consecutively referred patients (age 28 - 85 years), with a variety of PFD, were randomised into two groups: PFMT treatment as usual (n = 47), and PFMT with a psychologist involved (n = 41). Patients received 6-month out-patient physiotherapy. More patients with the psychologist completed the course, and there were significantly greater improvements in subjective symptoms (Queensland scale), quality of life (EQ-5D), and anxiety (HADS), although not in objective measures (Oxford Grading) or depression (HADS). These results suggest that an MDT including a psychologist during PFMT intervention treatment may help some patients.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective, acceptable to patients, and cost efficient as a treatment for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD). However, PFMT outcomes are mediated by patient variables, such as depression, anxiety, motivation, and health values. The effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary team delivering both PFMT and psychological support simultaneously to women undergoing PFMT for PFD is unknown.What do the results of this study add? Psychological support delivered alongside PFMT increased patient attendance, improved subjective ratings of pelvic floor functioning, health-related quality of life, and reduced anxiety. This is one of the first demonstrations that this can be achieved through a multi-disciplinary team delivering their support simultaneously to the patients.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Improving subjective functioning and reducing attrition rates in PFD patients has cost implications in terms of reduced need for surgery, and making future surgery more effective. The inclusion of brief, easily delivered psychological support, integrated into the PFMT sessions in a multidisciplinary way may represent an extremely cost effective method of improving the service for these patients.

An Evidenced-based Approach to Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women: What's New?

Stress urinary incontinence is a common condition in women potentially affecting women of any age including young women who have not yet completed childbearing. It is important to consider the impact on quality of life and offer treatment to those experiencing bother. There are several effective nonsurgical treatments for women before considering more invasive or definitive intervention. There is good data on lifestyle and behavioral changes which are often first-line recommendations. Data is also strong for pelvic muscle training and strengthening. Pessary supportive devices also play a role. Additional options also exist for limited indications.

A lasting impression: telemedicine in urogynecology during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Amidst the worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a new medical landscape revolving around telemedicine has arisen. The purpose of this review is to describe and analyze current urogynecologic guidelines for optimizing usage of telemedicine when treating women with pelvic floor disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

Women managed by urogynecologists are on average older, and hence more likely to have comorbidities that make them susceptible to developing coronavirus disease 2019 with severe symptoms. Telemedicine is key in minimizing exposure without sacrificing treatments and quality of life. Recent studies published prior to the pandemic helped set the stage for successful components of virtual care. Nonsurgical options are crucial to beginning a treatment plan while elective surgeries are still restricted in many hospitals. Medication management and innovative technology, such as smart telephone applications, play a prominent role. The comprehensive literature review discussed here describes the degree of evidence supporting each management option, while also noting the limitations of telemedicine.

SUMMARY

Telemedicine has opened a new door for the field of urogynecology allowing for continued safe, evidence-based care. The pandemic culture has tipped the balance away from surgery and toward nonsurgical treatments while attempting not to sacrifice outcomes or quality of care.

Urinary Incontinence: Evaluation and Management

Urinary incontinence is a major public health issue in the United States with physical, mental, social, and economic repercussions. History and in-office evaluation are paramount to diagnosis and formation of an appropriate treatment plan. Lifestyle modifications, which include pelvic floor muscle training and behavioral changes, are appropriate for initial management. Patients with overactive bladder syndrome whose symptoms are not adequately controlled with conservative treatment can be offered medical or procedural management. Stress urinary incontinence refractory to first-line treatment can be treated with surgical options such as mesh midurethral slings.

A guide for urogynecologic patient care utilizing telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: review of existing evidence

Introduction and hypothesis

The COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to “flatten the curve” of transmission have significantly affected the way providers care for patients. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeons (FPMRS) must provide high quality of care through remote access such as telemedicine. No clear guidelines exist on the use of telemedicine in FPMRS. Using expedited literature review methodology, we provide guidance regarding management of common outpatient urogynecology scenarios during the pandemic.

Methods

We grouped FPMRS conditions into those in which virtual management differs from direct in-person visits and conditions in which treatment would emphasize behavioral and conservative counseling but not deviate from current management paradigms. We conducted expedited literature review on four topics (telemedicine in FPMRS, pessary management, urinary tract infections, urinary retention) and addressed four other topics (urinary incontinence, prolapse, fecal incontinence, defecatory dysfunction) based on existing systematic reviews and guidelines. We further compiled expert consensus regarding management of FPMRS patients in the virtual setting, scenarios when in-person visits are necessary, symptoms that should alert providers, and specific considerations for FPMRS patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Results

Behavioral, medical, and conservative management will be valuable as first-line virtual treatments. Certain situations will require different treatments in the virtual setting while others will require an in-person visit despite the risks of COVID-19 transmission.

Conclusions

We have presented guidance for treating FPMRS conditions via telemedicine based on rapid literature review and expert consensus and presented it in a format that can be actively referenced.