Inadequate repeatability of the one-hour pad test: the need for a new incontinence outcome measure

The "Aberdeen Home Continence Stress Test": a novel objective assessment tool for female stress urinary incontinence

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Clinical trials for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) require a robust, reliable, and responsive tool for objective assessment of SUI post-intervention. The Aberdeen Home Continence Stress Test (HCST) is a novel patient-reported objective assessment tool, aimed to be patient-friendly and reduce attrition rates by avoiding hospital appointments and prolonged pad-wearing. We aim to describe the HCST for the first time and evaluate its reliability, diagnostic accuracy, and response to change.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of the Single-Incision Mini-Slings (SIMS) study (a prospective multicentre randomised control trial (RCT) comparing two surgical treatments of SUI was performed. In SIMS (n = 600 women), the objective outcome was assessed by the 24-h pad test, while the patient-reported success rates were assessed using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) at 15 months, 2 years and 3 years post-randomisation. Participants were instructed to perform the HCST before and after the 24-h pad test. The HCST was analysed in relation to reliability, validity, and the relationship between the 24-h pad test and HCST results and finally with regard to its responsiveness to change in PGI-I. (Trial registration-number ISRCTN93264234, registration date 14/01/2014).

RESULTS

Compared to the 24-h pad test, the sensitivity of the HCST ranged from 0.81-0.95, specificity was 0.76-0.79, negative predictive value was 0.96-0.99 and positive predictive value was 0.32-0.43. Reliability was indicated by high-performing Cronbach's alpha value (> 0.7). An improvement of ≥ 2 leakage groups on the HCST (for example from Large at baseline to Small leakage at follow-up) was strongly associated with patient-reported success on PGI-I (OR 4.38, 95% CI 2.31, 8.31).

CONCLUSIONS

The HCST is a valid and reliable patient-reported objective assessment tool that can be used for assessing SUI in surgical trials with good specificity, sensitivity, and consistency.

An Effective Meta-analysis of Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Urinary Incontinence

Magnetic stimulation (MS) is a novel approach for treating urinary incontinence (UI), but its applicability remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of MS treatment on UI. A literature search was performed in EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library (from May 2018 to August 2018), and all randomized control trials (RCTs) published in English were screened to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. A manual search of the reference lists of the retrieved studies was also performed. Eleven studies involving 612 patients were included in this review. According to the results of the meta-analysis, MS therapy relieved UI symptoms evaluated using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score (mean difference [MD] -3.03, 95% CI -3.27 to -2.79). In addition, the frequency of UI in the MS treatment group was also alleviated compared with sham group (MD -1.42, 95% CI -2.15 to -0.69). Finally, MS treatment improved the quality of life of patients with UI (standardized mean difference [SMD] -1.00, 95% CI -1.24 to -0.76). Our meta-analysis preliminarily indicates that MS treatment is an effective therapeutic modality for patients with UI. Nevertheless, additional large, high quality RCTs with a longer follow-up period that use consistent stimulation methods and analyse comparable outcomes are required to validate the efficacy.

Objectively improving appropriateness of absorbent products provision to patients with urinary incontinence: The DIAPPER study

AIMS

To objectively assess and enhance the appropriateness of continence products provision to sufferers from urinary incontinence (UI) managed with containment strategies.

METHODS

Incontinent patients of five Italian continence care services were included in this industry-supported study from 01/2012 to 03/2016. All patients/carers have been invited to perform a 48-h home-based pad test and to fill in a diary. The primary outcome was the product appropriateness defined as the use of a pad with maximum absorbent capacity (MAC) from 30% to 50% higher than the individually measured urine load. Pads provision was corrected accordingly. Meaningful factors affecting products appropriateness and patient's satisfaction with the new products were also assessed.

RESULTS

The study included 14 493 subjects (mean age 78 years; 26% males, 74% females) using overall during the study days 98 362 pads. Sixty percent of the products were found to be not appropriate. In most of cases, (75%) products were inappropriate because too large. Age and pad weight gain, followed by gender, body weight, waist circumference, level of autonomy and mobility, pad wearing time, skin health status, and health district were independently associated to the propensity to inappropriateness. After correction of products prescription, a significant reduction (-31%) of the use of largest products was observed. At 6 months evaluation, 88% of evaluable participants were satisfied with the new prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of patients are provided with not appropriate containment products. The use of the 48-h pad test allows improving on an individual basis the appropriateness of products provision.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Urinary Leakage Among Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Electroacupuncture involving the lumbosacral region may be effective for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), but evidence is limited.

Objective

To assess the effect of electroacupuncture vs sham electroacupuncture for women with SUI.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Multicenter, randomized clinical trial conducted at 12 hospitals in China and enrolling 504 women with SUI between October 2013 and May 2015, with data collection completed in December 2015.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 18 sessions (over 6 weeks) of electroacupuncture involving the lumbosacral region (n = 252) or sham electroacupuncture (n = 252) with no skin penetration on sham acupoints.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was change from baseline to week 6 in the amount of urine leakage, measured by the 1-hour pad test. Secondary outcomes included mean 72-hour urinary incontinence episodes measured by a 72-hour bladder diary (72-hour incontinence episodes).

Results

Among the 504 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 55.3 [8.4] years), 482 completed the study. Mean urine leakage at baseline was 18.4 g for the electroacupuncture group and 19.1 g for the sham electroacupuncture group. Mean 72-hour incontinence episodes were 7.9 for the electroacupuncture group and 7.7 for the sham electroacupuncture group. At week 6, the electroacupuncture group had greater decrease in mean urine leakage (-9.9 g) than the sham electroacupuncture group (-2.6 g) with a mean difference of 7.4 g (95% CI, 4.8 to 10.0; P < .001). During some time periods, the change in the mean 72-hour incontinence episodes from baseline was greater with electroacupuncture than sham electroacupuncture with between-group differences of 1.0 episode in weeks 1 to 6 (95% CI, 0.2-1.7; P = .01), 2.0 episodes in weeks 15 to 18 (95% CI, 1.3-2.7; P < .001), and 2.1 episodes in weeks 27 to 30 (95% CI, 1.3-2.8; P < .001). The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 1.6% in the electroacupuncture group and 2.0% in the sham electroacupuncture group, and all events were classified as mild.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among women with stress urinary incontinence, treatment with electroacupuncture involving the lumbosacral region, compared with sham electroacupuncture, resulted in less urine leakage after 6 weeks. Further research is needed to understand long-term efficacy and the mechanism of action of this intervention.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01784172.

Non-ablative erbium YAG laser for the treatment of type III stress urinary incontinence (intrinsic sphincter deficiency)

The objective of this pilot study was to determine the safety and efficacy of a new non-ablative erbium YAG laser procedure for the treatment of type III stress urinary incontinence (intrinsic sphincter deficiency) in women. Twenty-two patients with a Valsalva leak point pressure less than 60 cm H2O were recruited and treated with a non-ablative erbium laser delivering low fluence pulses inside the whole length of the urethra through a specially designed cannula. Treatment consisted of two treatment sessions with a 3-week interval in-between. Therapeutic efficacy, as assessed by a questionnaire addressing quality of life during urinary incontinence and the 1-h pad test, was measured at 3 and 6 months after the procedure. Both methods of assessment showed similar levels of improvement in terms of incontinence severity and improvement in quality of life. All patients tolerated the therapy well and adverse effects were mild and transient. The results of this pilot study showed significant improvement of type III stress urinary incontinence. Despite the limitations of this study, being small patient number and short follow-up, this non-ablative intraurethral erbium YAG laser procedure seems to be a safe and efficacious alternative for patients with type III stress urinary incontinence. More controlled studies should be performed to confirm this data and to evaluate the long-term effects.

Effects of Macroplastique Implantation System for stress urinary incontinence and urethral hypermobility in women

A study was carried out to evaluate efficacy of Macroplastique(R) (MPQ) Implantation System (MIS) in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urethral hypermobility after an unsuccessful conservative treatment. This is a prospective randomized controlled trial in women without previous incontinence surgery. Twenty-four women received MPQ. Twenty-one controls underwent a pelvic floor muscle exercises home program. Follow-up was at 3 months and the MPQ group also at 12 months. At 3 months, pad usage decreased significantly more in the MPQ group than in the control group (p = 0.015). According to physician and patient self-assessment, respectively, 71% and 63% women in the MPQ group were considered cured or markedly improved. This was significantly higher compared to controls. There was a significant higher increase of Incontinence Quality-of-Life questionnaire score in the MPQ group compared to controls (p = 0.017). Improvements in MPQ group at 3 months are sustained to 12 months. Adverse events were mild and transient. MIS is an acceptable option for women with SUI and urethral hypermobility.

Criterion validity, test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change of the St George urinary incontinence score

OBJECTIVE

To assess the criterion validity, test-retest reliability and the sensitivity to change after treatment of the St George Urinary Incontinence Score (SGUIS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Women presenting with urinary incontinence completed two SGUIS tests one week apart. A frequency-volume chart (FVC) was completed before the first attendance and the women had a 1-h pad test before treatment. Patients were treated conservatively under the care of a urogynaecologist or nurse continence advisor, or surgically with an open or laparoscopic colposuspension. After treatment, the SGUIS, FVC and 1-h pad test were repeated.

RESULTS

The SGUIS correlated moderately well with the number of leaks per week (Spearman's r = 0.610, 95% confidence interval 0.516-0.689, P < 0.001) but less well with the 1-h pad test loss (r = 0.257, 0.124-0.380, P = 0.002). The test-retest reliability was acceptable, as the mean (SD) difference between the first and second SGUIS was 0.337 (2.675), with limits of agreement of -5.012 to -5.686. The change in the SGUIS after treatment correlated well with the improvement in the number of leaks per week (r = 0.742, 0.662-0.805, 156 samples, P < 0.001) but not as well with the change in 1-h pad test loss (r = 0.531, 0.405-0.636, 151, P < 0.001), although the trend was similar.

CONCLUSION

The criterion validity of the SGUIS appeared adequate for both the number of leaks per week on the FVC and leakage on the 1-h pad test. The statistical reproducibility of the test was adequate and appeared more responsive to change after treatment than the other measures. The score is suitable for rapid self-administration by patients with a range of incontinence types, unlike most other currently available test instruments.