The effect of sacral neuromodulation on anticholinergic use and expenditures in a privately insured population

Cognitive impairment does not impact sacral neuromodulation implant rates for overactive bladder

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of cognitive impairment (CI) diagnoses on sacral neuromodulation (SNM) outcomes in older patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We completed a retrospective review of all patients aged ≥55 years who underwent test-phase SNM (peripheral nerve evaluation (PNE) or stage 1) for overactive bladder (OAB) between 2014 and 2021 within a large multi-regional health system. Patient demographics, relevant comorbidities, CI diagnoses (dementia or mild CI), and SNM procedures were recorded. Logistic regression modeling was performed to evaluate the impact of CI on SNM implantation rates.

RESULTS

Five-hundred and ten patients underwent SNM test phase (161 PNE, 349 Stage 1) during the study period. The mean age was 71.0(8.5) years, and most (80.6%) were female. Overall, 52(10.1%) patients had a CI diagnosis at the time of SNM, and 30 (5.8%) were diagnosed at a median of 18.5 [9.25, 39.5] months after SNM. Patients with CI diagnoses were older, with more comorbidities, and were more likely to undergo PNE. Univariable comparison found no difference in implantation rate based on pre-SNM CI (85.4% vs. 76.9%, p = 0.16). Multivariable analysis identified PNE (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.26-0.71), age (OR 0.96, 95%CI 0.93-0.98), and prior beta-3 agonist use (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.99) but not CI or dementia as independent negative predictors of implantation. Implanted patients had a median follow-up of 25 [12.0, 55.0] months. Explant and revision rates did not differ according to CI.

CONCLUSION

Patients with OAB and CI diagnoses proceed to SNM implant at rates similar to patients without CI diagnoses. A diagnosis of CI should not necessarily exclude patients from SNM therapy for refractory OAB.

Effect of Transobturator Midurethral Sling Placement on Urgency and Urge Incontinence: 1-Year Outcomes

TVT-O placement has been associated with short-term cure/improvement of urgency (U) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) in a significant proportion of patients. Further, the observed improvement in U/UUI is associated with improved quality of life (QOL). This study is a prospective continuation aimed to determine if the short-term benefit of TVT-O on U/UUI persists at 12 months postoperatively.

METHODS

Patients with stress-predominant mixed incontinence undergoing TVT-O placement were prospectively assessed using 3-day bladder diary and multiple validated incontinence questionnaires focusing on U (Urgency Perception Score), UUI (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms), and QOL (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form).

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients achieved 12-month assessment, at which point improvements (versus baseline) in mean daily pad use (2.5-0.9) and mean incontinence episodes (3.6-0.7) were seen (P < 0.05, both comparisons). Seventy-eight percent of patients reported cure of stress incontinence. Questionnaire scores for UUI improved from 2.0(±1.1) to 1.0(±1.1) (P < 0.001), with 32% and 31% of patients reporting cure and improvement, respectively. Similarly, mean Urgency Perception Score improved from 10.1(±4.4) to 6.7(±4.5) (P < 0.001). Eighty-two percent of the patients did not require anticholinergics over the 12-month follow-up period. Furthermore, U outcomes are associated with improvements in QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

TVT-O placement is associated with cure/improvement of U and UUI in a significant proportion of patients with mixed urinary incontinence. Further, the observed improvements in U/UUI persist at 12 months and appear to have a durable positive association with QOL.