Urinary incontinence in women: state of the art and medical treatment

Association between weight-adjusted waist index and overactive bladder syndrome among adult women in the United States: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

The weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) is a recently developed index for measuring obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between WWI levels and overactive bladder (OAB) in a nationally representative population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database between 2007 and 2016. OAB was defined as the Overactive Bladder Syndrome Symptom Score (OABSS, score ≥ 3). The WWI index was calculated as the square root of waist circumference (WC, cm) divided by body weight (kg). We used weighted logistic regression models to assess the relationship between the WWI index and OAB in adult women. The reliability of the findings was assessed using restricted cubic spline, subgroup analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 10,563 individuals were included in the study, and the prevalence of OAB was 18.6%. Higher WWI was associated with an increased risk of overactive bladder syndrome. In model 1 with unadjusted variables (OR = 1.148; 95% CI = 1.148-1.149, p < 0.001), model 2 (OR = 1.253; 95% CI = 1.253-1.254, p < 0.001) and model 3 with fully adjusted variables (OR = 1.215; 95% CI = 1.214-1.215, p < 0.001) in which the association was significant. The results of the subgroup analyses showed that age stratification and stroke status could modify this association between WWI and OAB. Restricted cubic spline showed a nonlinear relationship between WWI and OAB (p for nonlinear < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Weight-adjusted waist circumference index (WWI) values are positively associated with the risk of developing OAB in adult women in the United States, but further studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationship between WWI and OAB.

Safety and efficacy of a class II medical device based on highly purified and standardized plant extracts in the management of post-menopausal patients with vulvar and vaginal atrophy: a single-center prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Despite the gold standard treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is based on the use of local or systemic estrogen-containing products, the typical long-term side effects of hormonal treatments and, most importantly, the contraindications in patients with history of breast and endometrial neoplasms do limit in some extent its use. As hyaluronic acid and some highly purified botanicals have clearly demonstrated their anti-inflammatory and mucosa-protecting properties, we have tested, in women with GSM, a class II vaginal medical device containing hyaluronate gel and a mucoadhesive active enriched with purified alkylamides from Zanthoxylum bungeanum, triterpenes from Centella asiatica and high molecular weight polysaccharides from Tamarindus indica.

METHODS

Our single-center, open-label, prospective and observational study was conducted on 50 menopausal women enrolled at the Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Umberto I Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, Italy. Gel administration lasted 150 days and was performed daily for the first 12 days and every 48 hours for the remaining 138 days. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline and after 12, 57 and 150 days. Besides product safety, main outcomes of our study were: 1) vaginal health (by Vaginal Health Index score [VHI]); 2) sexual quality of life (by Female Sexual Distress Scale [FSDS]); and 3) percentage of women declaring regular sexual activity.

RESULTS

The product was safe with no specific adverse events reported. It significantly improved VHI (about 5% after 57 days and 8% after 150 days), FSDS (about 7% after 57 days and 10% after 150 days), and sexual activity (about 20% after 150 days). It also reduced dryness, dyspareunia, burning, itching, and dysuria incidence, respectively by about 18%, 14%, 14%, 27% and 11% after 150 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with GSM, the intravaginal administration of a hyaluronate-based gel enriched with purified botanical actives endowed with anti-inflammatory and mucosal-protecting properties, reduced painful sensation during sexual acts and increased regular sexual activity.

Evaluating Patient Preferences and Clinical Outcomes in Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment: A Short-Term Follow-Up Study of the Transobturator Tape Procedure and Pubourethral Ligament Plication (a Minimally Invasive Technique)

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide an in-depth analysis of patient preferences and clinical outcomes associated with two surgical techniques for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI): the transobturator suburethral sling (TOT) procedure and the pubourethral ligament plication (PUL) procedure. We evaluated the rates of postoperative complications, the duration of each procedure, hemoglobin loss, and days of hospitalization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 80 patients who underwent surgery for SUI: 40 patients for the TOT procedure and 40 patients for the PUL procedure. Clinical data on patient characteristics, treatment efficacy, and post-surgical outcomes were analyzed to assess patient preferences and real-world clinical effectiveness.

RESULTS

Regarding patient preferences, those who underwent TOT surgery were more likely to be older, had a higher average number of pregnancies, and were more often postmenopausal, in contrast to those who underwent PUL surgery (p < 0.001 for each comparison). TOT patients had a hospital stay on average of 1.02 days, while PUL patients benefited from ambulatory stays only. In addition, the TOT group had a significantly longer average operating time (16.80 min) compared to the PUL group (9.90 min, p < 0.001). The study revealed notable outcomes in both groups, with high cure rates for both TOT (N1 = 33, 82.5%) and PUL (N2 = 28, 70%) procedures. Specifically, 76.25% of the patients (61 out of 80) were cured after the procedures. Chronic pelvic pain was present in 3.75% of all patients and was notably only observed in the TOT group, with 3 (7.5%) cases being noted. Similarly, vaginal erosion was experienced by 5% of all patients, with 10% of patients in the TOT group and none in the PUL group being affected. Dyspareunia occurred in 2.5% of all patients, with there being two (5%) cases in the TOT group and none in the PUL group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that while the PUL procedure achieves cure rates comparable to TOT, it offers a less invasive option with shorter operating times and no hospitalization required. These findings suggest that PUL could be a viable alternative for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatment, especially in contexts where avoiding mesh use is preferred. This adds significant value to patient-centered care in SUI management, offering tailored treatment options based on patient characteristics, preferences, and risk profiles.

Establishment and validation of a simple nomogram for predicting early postpartum stress urinary incontinence among women with vaginal delivery: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common public health issue that negatively impacts the quality of life for women worldwide, of which early detection and rehabilitation are consequently pivotal. The aim of this study is to establish a simple nomogram for identifying women at risk of postpartum SUI.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary specialized hospital in Shanghai, China. The study included only women with singleton, full-term, and vaginal deliveries. 2,441 women who delivered from July 2019 to November 2019 were included in the training cohort, and 610 women who delivered from January 2022 to February 2022 were included in the validation cohort. SUI was determined by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF). Univariate and multifactorial logistical regression were used to identify independent risk factors for postpartum SUI and further construct the nomogram accordingly. Based on concordance statistics (C-statistics), calibration curves, and decision curve analyses, we evaluated the performance of the nomogram in the training cohort and the validation cohort. In addition, the model was validated internally in the training cohort through cross-validation.

RESULTS

There were no significant statistically differences in important baseline data such as age, pre-pregnancy BMI, and parity between the training and validation cohorts. SUI was observed in 431 (17.6%) and 125 (20.5%) women in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. According to the regression analysis, age, parity, second stage of labor, infant weight, and forceps delivery were included in the nomogram. The nomogram had a C-statistic of 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-0.85) for predicting SUI. C-statistics were stable in both internally cross-validated training cohort (mean 0.81) and validation cohort (0.83 [95% CI 0.79-0.87]). The nomogram's calibration curve was near the ideal diagonal line. Additionally, the model exhibited a positive net benefit from the decision curve analysis.

CONCLUSION

We have created a nomogram that can be utilized to quantify the risk of postpartum SUI for women with vaginal delivery. The model might contribute to predicting early postpartum SUI, thereby facilitating the management of SUI.

Fractional Co2 laser for vulvo-vaginal atrophy in gynecologic cancer patients: A valid therapeutic choice? A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

One of the most common adverse events reported by gynecological cancer survivors with spontaneous or iatrogenic menopause is vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA). An increasing number of women have this kind of discomfort related to the menopause induced by different cancer therapies. In this regard, fractional CO2 laser may be a valid therapeutic choice for these patients.

METHODS

We performed a literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases with search terms of laser CO2 treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy and gynecologic cancer survivors and reviewed major US Society Guidelines to create this narrative review of this topic. Breast, ovarian endometrial and cervical cancers were included.

RESULTS

Nine studies were included. Fractional CO2 laser improves clinical symptoms and sexual function, in terms of VHI (vaginal health index) and FSFI (female sexual function index). Non severe adverse event occurred.

CONCLUSION

According to the best evidence available, fractional CO2 laser treatment for VVA is an effective and safe therapeutic option for gynecological cancer survivors, improving sexual life and quality of life (QoL).

Update on surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence

INTRODUCTION

Urinary incontinence is a common condition that negatively impacts quality of life of millions of women. It is a result of a synergy between the structures of pelvic floor in particular levator ani muscle and pelvic connective tissues. Urinary incontinence, increasing with age, is associated with considerable personal and societal expenditure.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Systematic data search performed using PubMed/Medline database up to August 20, 2020. Focus was only for English language publications of original studies on urinary incontinence and in particular stress urinary incontinence.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Given the basis of published evidence and the consensus of European experts, this study provides an updated overview on clinical applications and surgical procedures of urinary incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary incontinence is an underestimated health problem. Many surgical options exist for women with stress urinary incontinence. Nevertheless, new strategies need to be evaluated in order to improve quality of life of patients.