The AUA/SUFU Guideline on Adult Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: Treatment and Follow-up.

PURPOSE: The clinician treating patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) needs to balance a variety of factors when making treatment decisions. In addition to the patient's urologic symptoms and urodynamic findings, other issues that may influence management options of the lower urinary tract include cognition, hand function, type of neurologic disease, mobility, bowel function/management, and social and caregiver support. This Guideline allows the clinician to understand the options available to treat patients, understand the findings that can be seen in NLUTD, and appreciate which options are best for each individual patient. This allows for decisions to be made with the patient, in a shared decision-making manner, such that the patient's quality of life can be optimized with respect to their bladder management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search for studies assessing patients undergoing evaluation, surveillance, management, or follow-up for NLUTD was conducted from January 2001 through October 2017 and was rerun in February 2021 to capture newer literature. The primary search returned 20,496 unique citations. Following a title and abstract screen, full texts were obtained for 3,036 studies. During full-text review, studies were primarily excluded for not meeting the PICO criteria. One hundred eight-four primary literature studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the evidence base. RESULTS: This guideline was developed to inform clinicians on the proper evaluation, diagnosis, and risk stratification of adult patients with NLUTD and the non-surgical and surgical treatment options available. Additional statements on urinary tract infection and autonomic dysreflexia were developed to guide the clinician. CONCLUSIONS: NLUTD patients may undergo non-surgical and surgical treatment options depending on their level of risk, symptoms, and urodynamic findings. Appropriate follow-up, primarily based on their risk stratification, must be maintained after treatment.

The AUA/SUFU Guideline on Adult Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Evaluation.

PURPOSE: The clinician treating patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) needs to balance a variety of factors when making treatment decisions. In addition to the patient's urologic symptoms and urodynamic findings, other issues that may influence management options of the lower urinary tract include cognition, hand function, type of neurologic disease, mobility, bowel function/management, and social and caregiver support. This Guideline allows the clinician to understand the options available to treat patients, understand the findings that can be seen in NLUTD, and appreciate which options are best for each individual patient. This allows for decisions to be made with the patient, in a shared decision-making manner, such that the patient's quality of life can be optimized with respect to their bladder management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search for studies assessing patients undergoing evaluation, surveillance, management, or follow-up for NLUTD was conducted from January 2001 through October 2017 and was rerun in February 2021 to capture newer literature. The primary search returned 20,496 unique citations. Following a title and abstract screen, full texts were obtained for 3,036 studies. During full-text review, studies were primarily excluded for not meeting the PICO criteria. One hundred eight-four primary literature studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the evidence base. RESULTS: This guideline was developed to inform clinicians on the proper evaluation, diagnosis, and risk stratification of patients with NLUTD and the non-surgical and surgical treatment options available. Additional statements on urinary tract infection and autonomic dysreflexia were developed to guide the clinician. This Guideline is for adult patients with NLUTD and pediatric NLUTD will not be discussed. CONCLUSIONS: NLUTD patients should be risk-stratified as either low-, moderate-, high-, or unknown-risk. After diagnosis and stratification, patients should be monitored according to their level of risk at regular intervals. Patients who experience new or worsening signs and symptoms should be reevaluated and risk stratification should be repeated.

Treatment patterns and costs among patients with OAB treated with combination oral therapy, sacral nerve stimulation, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, or onabotulinumtoxinA in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment patterns and costs were characterized among patients with overactive bladder (OAB) receiving later-line target therapies (combination mirabegron/antimuscarinic, sacral nerve stimulation [SNS], percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation [PTNS], or onabotulinumtoxinA). METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study using 2013 to 2017 MarketScan databases, two partially overlapping cohorts of adults with OAB ("IPT cohort": patients with incident OAB pharmacotherapy use; "ITT cohort," incident target therapy) with continuous enrollment were identified; first use was index. Demographic characteristics, treatment patterns and costs over the 24-month follow-up period were summarized. Crude mean (standard deviation [SD]) OAB-specific (assessed by OAB diagnostic code or pharmaceutical dispensation record) costs were estimated according to target therapy. RESULTS: The IPT cohort comprised 54 066 individuals (mean [SD] age 58.5 [15.0] years; 76% female), the ITT cohort, 1662 individuals (mean [SD] age 62.8 [14.9] years; 83% female). Seventeen percent of the IPT cohort were treated with subsequent line(s) of therapy after index therapy; among those, 73% received antimuscarinics, 23% mirabegron, and 1.4% a target therapy. For the ITT cohort, 32% were initially treated with SNS, 27% with onabotulinumtoxinA, 26% with combination mirabegron/antimuscarinic, and 15% with PTNS. Subsequently, one-third of this cohort received additional therapies. Mean (SD) costs were lowest among patients receiving index therapy PTNS ($6959 [$7533]) and highest for SNS ($29 702 [$26 802]). CONCLUSIONS: Costs for SNS over 24 months are substantially higher than other treatments. A treatment patterns analysis indicates that oral therapies predominate; first-line combination therapy is common in the ITT cohort and uptake of oral therapy after procedural options is substantial.

Surgical Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: AUA/SUFU Guideline.

PURPOSE: Stress urinary incontinence is a common problem experienced by many women that can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from the condition and potentially those friends and family members whose lives and activities may also be limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of the literature was performed by ECRI Institute. This search included articles published between January 2005 and December 2015 with an updated abstract search conducted through September 2016. When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence for a particular treatment was assigned a strength rating of A (high), B (moderate), or C (low) for support of Strong, Moderate, or Conditional Recommendations. In the absence of sufficient evidence, additional information is provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinions. RESULTS: The AUA (American Urological Association) and SUFU (Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction) have formulated an evidence-based guideline focused on the surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence in both index and non-index patients. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical options for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence continue to evolve; as such, this guideline and the associated algorithm aim to outline the currently available treatment techniques as well as the data associated with each treatment. Indeed, the Panel recognizes that this guideline will require continued literature review and updating as further knowledge regarding current and future options continues to grow.

The cost of preoperative urodynamics: A secondary analysis of the ValUE trial.

AIMS: Urodynamic studies (UDS) are generally recommended prior to surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), despite insufficient evidence that it impacts treatment plans or outcomes in patients with uncomplicated SUI. This analysis aimed to calculate the cost incurred when UDS was performed as a supplement to a basic office evaluation and to extrapolate the potential savings of not doing UDS in this patient population on a national basis. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis from the Value of Urodynamic Evaluation (ValUE) trial, a multicenter non-inferiority randomized trial to determine whether a basic office evaluation (OE) is non-inferior in terms of SUI surgery outcomes to office evaluation with addition of urodynamic studies (UDS). All participants underwent an OE; those patients who randomized to supplementary UDS underwent non-instrumented uroflowmetry, filling cystometry, and a pressure flow study. Costs associated with UDS were calculated using 2014 U.S. Medicare allowable fees. Models using various patient populations and payor mixes were created to obtain a range of potential costs of performing UDS in patients undergoing SUI surgery annually in the United States. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty women were randomized to OE or OE plus UDS. There was no difference in surgical outcomes between the two groups. The per patient cost of UDS varied from site to site, and included complex cystometrogram $314-$343 (CPT codes 51728-51729) plus complex uroflowmetry $16 (CPT code 51741). Extrapolating these costs for US women similar to our study population, 13-33 million US dollars could be saved annually by not performing preoperative urodynamics. CONCLUSION: For women with uncomplicated SUI and a confirmatory preoperative basic office evaluation, tens of millions of dollars US could be saved annually by not performing urodynamic testing. In the management of such women, eliminating this preoperative test has a major economic benefit.

A randomized trial of urodynamic testing before stress-incontinence surgery.

BACKGROUND: Urodynamic studies are commonly performed in women before surgery for stress urinary incontinence, but there is no good evidence that they improve outcomes. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial involving women with uncomplicated, demonstrable stress urinary incontinence to compare outcomes after preoperative office evaluation and urodynamic tests or evaluation only. The primary outcome was treatment success at 12 months, defined as a reduction in the score on the Urogenital Distress Inventory of 70% or more and a response of "much better" or "very much better" on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement. The predetermined noninferiority margin was 11 percentage points. RESULTS: A total of 630 women were randomly assigned to undergo office evaluation with urodynamic tests or evaluation only (315 per group); the proportion in whom treatment was successful was 76.9% in the urodynamic-testing group versus 77.2% in the evaluation-only group (difference, -0.3 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -7.5 to 6.9), which was consistent with noninferiority. There were no significant between-group differences in secondary measures of incontinence severity, quality of life, patient satisfaction, rates of positive provocative stress tests, voiding dysfunction, or adverse events. Women who underwent urodynamic tests were significantly less likely to receive a diagnosis of overactive bladder and more likely to receive a diagnosis of voiding-phase dysfunction, but these changes did not lead to significant between-group differences in treatment selection or outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: For women with uncomplicated, demonstrable stress urinary incontinence, preoperative office evaluation alone was not inferior to evaluation with urodynamic testing for outcomes at 1 year. (Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00803959.).

5-year longitudinal followup after retropubic and transobturator mid urethral slings.

PURPOSE: Few studies have characterized longer-term outcomes after retropubic and transobturator mid urethral slings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women completing 2-year participation in a randomized equivalence trial who had not undergone surgical re-treatment for stress urinary incontinence were invited to participate in a 5-year observational cohort. The primary outcome, treatment success, was defined as no re-treatment or self-reported stress incontinence symptoms. Secondary outcomes included urinary symptoms and quality of life, satisfaction, sexual function and adverse events. RESULTS: Of 597 women 404 (68%) from the original trial enrolled in the study. Five years after surgical treatment success was 7.9% greater in women assigned to the retropubic sling compared to the transobturator sling (51.3% vs 43.4%, 95% CI -1.4, 17.2), not meeting prespecified criteria for equivalence. Satisfaction decreased during 5 years but remained high and similar between arms (retropubic sling 79% vs transobturator sling 85%, p=0.15). Urinary symptoms and quality of life worsened with time (p <0.001), and women with a retropubic sling reported greater urinary urgency (p=0.001), more negative impact on quality of life (p=0.02) and worse sexual function (p=0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of women experiencing at least 1 adverse event (p=0.17). Seven new mesh erosions were noted (retropubic sling 3, transobturator sling 4). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment success decreased during 5 years for retropubic and transobturator slings, and did not meet the prespecified criteria for equivalence with retropubic demonstrating a slight benefit. However, satisfaction remained high in both arms. Women undergoing a transobturator sling procedure reported more sustained improvement in urinary symptoms and sexual function. New mesh erosions occurred in both arms over time, although at a similarly low rate.

Effect of aging on storage and voiding function in women with stress predominant urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: We investigated age related changes in urodynamic parameters in 2 large cohorts of women planning stress urinary incontinence surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a standardized protocol we obtained urodynamic parameters for participants in SISTEr (Stress Incontinence Surgical Treatment Efficacy Trial) and TOMUS (Trial of Mid-Urethral Slings) undergoing baseline noninvasive flow followed by filling cystometrogram and pressure flow study. The bladder contractility index (defined as detrusor pressure at maximum flow+5×maximum flow) and detrusor hypocontractility (defined as detrusor pressure at maximum flow less than 10 cm H2O) were also characterized. Patients excluded from analysis had undergone prior stress urinary incontinence surgery or had prolapse stage greater than II. Propensity score analysis controlled for the potential bias of combining participants from 2 clinical trials. Linear and logistic regression analysis adjusting for propensity score quintile was done to assess the association of age and an age cutoff (less than 65 vs 65 or greater years) with urodynamic parameters. RESULTS: A total of 945 women (468 in SISTEr and 477 in TOMUS) were included in analysis. Mean age was 50 years in SISTEr (range 27 to 75) and 51 years (range 24 to 82) in TOMUS. Noninvasive maximum urinary flow decreased significantly with age (26.2 vs 22 ml per second, p=0.002). Noninvasive flow voiding time increased 2.7 seconds for each 10-year age increment and detrusor pressure at maximum flow decreased 2.1 cm H2O for each 10-year increase in age (each p=0.003). Hypocontractility was more likely in women 65 years old or older (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.59, 5.27). The bladder contractility index was inversely related to age, decreasing a mean±SD of 7.68±1.96 cm H2O for each 10-year age increase (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In these 2 cohorts the observed changes in voiding parameters suggest that detrusor contractility and efficiency decrease with age.

Effect of fesoterodine in vulnerable elderly subjects with urgency incontinence: a double-blind, placebo controlled trial.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of flexible dose fesoterodine in medically complex vulnerable elderly subjects with urgency urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this 12-week, randomized, double-blind, flexible dose, placebo controlled trial, subjects were community dwelling men and women 65 years old or older. Subjects had scores of 3 or more on the VES-13 (Vulnerable Elders Survey) and 20 or more on the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), and 2 to 15 urgency urinary incontinence episodes and 8 or more micturitions per 24 hours on 3-day baseline diaries. Subjects randomized to fesoterodine received 4 mg once daily for 4 weeks and could then increase to 8 mg based on discussion with the investigator. Subjects receiving 8 mg could decrease the dose to 4 mg at any time (sham escalation and de-escalation for placebo). The primary outcome measure was change in daily urgency urinary incontinence episodes. Secondary outcomes included changes in other diary variables and patient reported quality of life measures. Safety evaluations included self-reported symptoms and post-void residual volume. RESULTS: A total of 562 patients were randomized (mean age 75 years, 50.4% age 75 years or greater). Subjects had high rates of comorbidities, polypharmacy and functional impairment. At week 12 the fesoterodine group had significantly greater improvements in urgency urinary incontinence episodes per 24 hours (-2.84 vs -2.20, p = 0.002) and most other diary variables and quality of life, as well as a higher diary dry rate (50.8% vs 36.0%, p = 0.002). Adverse effects were generally similar to those of younger populations including risk of urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first antimuscarinic study in a community based, significantly older, medically complex elderly population with urgency urinary incontinence. Flexible dose fesoterodine significantly improved urgency urinary incontinence episodes and other outcomes vs placebo, and was generally well tolerated.

Urinary incontinence management costs are reduced following Burch or sling surgery for stress incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to estimate the effect of Burch and fascial sling surgery on out-of-pocket urinary incontinence (UI) management costs at 24 months postoperatively and identify predictors of change in cost among women enrolled in a randomized trial comparing these procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Resources used for UI management (supplies, laundry, dry cleaning) were self-reported by 491 women at baseline and 24 months after surgery, and total out-of-pocket costs for UI management (in 2012 US dollars) were estimated. Data from the 2 surgical groups were combined to examine the change in cost for UI management over 24 months. Univariate and bivariate changes in cost were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Predictors of change in cost were examined using multivariate mixed models. RESULTS: At baseline mean (±SD) age of participants was 53 ± 10 years, and the frequency of weekly UI episodes was 23 ± 21. Weekly UI episodes decreased by 86% at 24 months (P < .001). The mean weekly cost was $16.60 ± $27.00 (median $9.39) at baseline and $4.57 ± $15.00 (median $0.10) at 24 months (P < .001), a decrease of 72%. In multivariate analyses, cost decreased by $3.38 ± $0.77 per week for each decrease of 1 UI episode per day (P < .001) and was strongly associated with greater improvement in Urogenital Distress Inventory and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire scores (P < .001) and decreased 24-hour pad weight (P < .02). CONCLUSION: Following Burch or fascial sling surgery, the UI management cost at 24 months decreased by 72% ($625 per woman per year) and was strongly associated with decreasing UI frequency. Reduced out-of-pocket expenses may be a benefit of these established urinary incontinence procedures.

Pre-operative urodynamics in women with stress urinary incontinence increases physician confidence, but does not improve outcomes.

AIMS: To determine if pre-operative urodynamic testing (UDS) affects physicians' diagnostic confidence and if physician confidence affects treatment outcomes at 1 year. METHODS: The Value of Urodynamic Evaluation (ValUE) trial randomized 630 women with predominant stress urinary incontinence (SUI) to office evaluation (OE) or OE plus UDS prior to surgery. After OE, physicians completed a checklist of five clinical diagnoses: SUI, overactive bladder (OAB) wet and dry, voiding dysfunction (VD), and intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD), and reported their confidence in each. Responses ranged from 1 to 5 with; 1 = "not very confident (<50%)" to 5 = "extremely confident (95 + %)." After UDS, investigators again rated their confidence in these five clinical diagnoses. Logistic regression analysis correlated physician confidence in diagnosis with treatment success. RESULTS: Of 315 women who received OE plus UDS, 294 had complete data. Confidence improved after UDS in patients with baseline SUI (4.52-4.63, P < 0.005), OAB-wet (3.55-3.75, P < 0.001), OAB-dry (3.55-3.68 P < 0.005), VD (3.81-3.95, P < 0.005), and suspected ISD (3.63-3.92, P < 0.001). Increased confidence after UDS was not associated with higher odds of treatment success although mean changes in confidence were slightly higher for those who achieved treatment success. Physician diagnoses shifted more from not confident to confident for ISD and OAB-wet after UDS (McNemar's P-value <0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: In women undergoing UDS for predominant SUI, UDS increased physicians' confidence in their clinical diagnoses; however, this did not correlate with treatment success.

Repeat post-op voiding trials: an inconvenient correlate with success.

AIMS: This study examined the association between the need for a repeat voiding trial after midurethral sling (MUS) surgery and 1-year success rates. METHODS: We conducted this secondary analysis of the participants in the Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network trial of midurethral sling (TOMUS) study which compared retropubic versus transobturator MUS. A standard voiding trial was attempted on all subjects. The "repeat voiding trial" group included subjects discharged with catheterization. All others were considered "self voiding." Success rates between the groups at 1-year were compared, followed by multivariate analyses controlling for previously reported clinical predictors of success. RESULTS: Most women (76%) were self-voiding, while 24% required a repeat voiding trial. The objective success rate at 1-year was 85.8% in the repeat voiding trial group and 75.3% in the self-voiding group (P = 0.01). Subjective success rate at 1-year was 61.0% in the repeat voiding trial group and 55.1% in the self-voiding group (P = 0.23). Women in the repeat voiding trial group continued to demonstrate greater objective success than the self-voiding group in multivariate analysis that controlled for previous incontinence surgery, pad weight, urethral mobility, urge score, and type of MUS (P = 0.04, OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.03-3.22). CONCLUSIONS: Women who require a repeat voiding trial following MUS surgery have greater objective success at 1-year postoperatively when compared to those who are self-voiding at the time of discharge. These results may help reassure women who require catheterization after MUS surgery that their outcome is not compromised by this immediate transient post-operative result.

Retropubic versus transobturator midurethral slings for stress incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Midurethral slings are increasingly used for the treatment of stress incontinence, but there are limited data comparing types of slings and associated complications. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, randomized equivalence trial comparing outcomes with retropubic and transobturator midurethral slings in women with stress incontinence. The primary outcome was treatment success at 12 months according to both objective criteria (a negative stress test, a negative pad test, and no retreatment) and subjective criteria (self-reported absence of symptoms, no leakage episodes recorded, and no retreatment). The predetermined equivalence margin was +/-12 percentage points. RESULTS: A total of 597 women were randomly assigned to a study group; 565 (94.6%) completed the 12-month assessment. The rates of objectively assessed treatment success were 80.8% in the retropubic-sling group and 77.7% in the transobturator-sling group (3.0 percentage-point difference; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.6 to 9.6). The rates of subjectively assessed success were 62.2% and 55.8%, respectively (6.4 percentage-point difference; 95% CI, -1.6 to 14.3). The rates of voiding dysfunction requiring surgery were 2.7% in those who received retropubic slings and 0% in those who received transobturator slings (P=0.004), and the respective rates of neurologic symptoms were 4.0% and 9.4% (P=0.01). There were no significant differences between groups in postoperative urge incontinence, satisfaction with the results of the procedure, or quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-month rates of objectively assessed success of treatment for stress incontinence with the retropubic and transobturator approaches met the prespecified criteria for equivalence; the rates of subjectively assessed success were similar between groups but did not meet the criteria for equivalence. Differences in the complications associated with the two procedures should be discussed with patients who are considering surgical treatment for incontinence. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00325039.)

The effect of urodynamic testing on clinical diagnosis, treatment plan and outcomes in women undergoing stress urinary incontinence surgery.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the influence of preoperative urodynamic studies on diagnoses, global treatment plans and outcomes in women treated with surgery for uncomplicated stress predominant urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis from a multicenter, randomized trial of the value of preoperative urodynamic studies. Physicians provided diagnoses before and after urodynamic studies and global treatment plans, defined as proceeding with surgery, surgery type, surgical modification and nonoperative therapy. Treatment plan changes and surgical outcomes between office evaluation and office evaluation plus urodynamic studies were compared by the McNemar test. RESULTS: Of 315 subjects randomized to urodynamic studies after office evaluation 294 had evaluable data. Urodynamic studies changed the office evaluation diagnoses in 167 women (56.8%), decreasing the diagnoses of overactive bladder-wet (41.6% to 25.2%, p <0.001), overactive bladder-dry (31.4% to 20.8%, p = 0.002) and intrinsic sphincter deficiency (19.4% to 12.6%, p = 0.003) but increasing the diagnosis of voiding dysfunction (2.2% to 11.9%, p <0.001). After urodynamic studies physicians canceled surgery in 4 of 294 women (1.4%), changed the incontinence procedure in 13 (4.4%) and planned to modify mid urethral sling tension (more or less obstructive) in 20 women (6.8%). Nonoperative treatment plans changed in 40 of 294 women (14%). Urodynamic study driven treatment plan changes were not associated with treatment success (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.41, 2.25, p = 0.92) but they were associated with increased postoperative treatment for urge urinary incontinence (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.46, 7.14, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Urodynamic studies significantly changed clinical diagnoses but infrequently changed the global treatment plan or influenced surgeon decision to cancel, change or modify surgical plans. Global treatment plan changes were associated with increased treatment for postoperative urgency urinary incontinence.

Long-term efficacy and safety of questionnaire-based initiation of urgency urinary incontinence treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the longer-term efficacy and safety of initiating treatment for urgency-predominant urinary incontinence (UUI) in women diagnosed using a simple questionnaire rather than an extensive evaluation. STUDY DESIGN: Women completing a 12 week randomized controlled trial of fesoterodine therapy for UUI diagnosed by questionnaire were invited to participate in a 9 month, open-label continuation study. UUI and voiding episodes were collected using voiding diaries. Participant satisfaction was measured by questionnaire. Safety was assessed by the measurement of postvoid residual volume and adverse event monitoring; if necessary, women underwent a specialist evaluation. The longitudinal changes in UUI and voiding episodes were evaluated using linear mixed models adjusting for baseline. RESULTS: Of the 567 women completing the randomized trial, 498 (87.8%) took at least 1 dose of medication during this open-label study. Compared with the baseline visit in the randomized trial, fesoterodine was associated with a reduction in total incontinence episodes per day and urgency incontinence episodes per day at the end of the open-label study (adjusted mean [SE], 4.6 [0.12] to 1.2 [0.13] and 3.9 [0.11] to 0.9 [0.11], respectively, P < .0001 for both). Most women were satisfied with treatment (89%, 92%, and 93% at 3, 6, and 9 months, respectively). Twenty-six women experienced 28 serious adverse events, 1 of which was considered possibly treatment related. Twenty-two women had a specialist evaluation: 5 women's incontinence was misclassified by the 3 Incontinence Questions; none experienced harm because of misclassification. CONCLUSION: Using a simple validated questionnaire to diagnose and initiate treatment for UUI in community-dwelling women is safe and effective, allowing timely treatment by primary care practitioners.

Treatment success of retropubic and transobturator mid urethral slings at 24 months.

PURPOSE: Longer term comparative efficacy information regarding transobturator and retropubic mid urethral slings is needed. We report 24-month continence rates, complications and symptom outcomes from a randomized equivalence trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary outcomes were objective (negative stress test, negative pad test and no re-treatment for stress urinary incontinence) and subjective (no self-report of stress urinary incontinence symptoms, no leakage episodes on 3-day bladder diary and no re-treatment for stress urinary incontinence) success at 24 months. The predetermined equivalence margin was ± 12%. RESULTS: Of 597 randomized participants 516 (86.4%) were assessed. Objective success rates for retropubic and transobturator mid urethral slings were 77.3% and 72.3%, respectively (95% CI for difference of 5.1% was -2.0, 12.1), and subjective success rates were 55.7% and 48.3%, respectively (CI for difference of 7.4% was -0.7, 15.5). Neither objective nor subjective success rates met the prespecified criteria for equivalence. Patient satisfaction (retropubic 86.3% vs transobturator 88.1%, p = 0.58), frequency of de novo urgency incontinence (retropubic 0% vs transobturator 0.3%, p = 0.99) and occurrence of mesh exposure (retropubic 4.4% vs transobturator 2.7%, p = 0.26) were not significantly different. The retropubic mid urethral sling group had higher rates of voiding dysfunction requiring surgery (3.0% vs 0%, p = 0.002) and urinary tract infections (17.1% vs 10.7%, p = 0.025), whereas the transobturator group had more neurological symptoms (9.7% vs 5.4%, p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Objective success rates met the criteria for equivalence at 12 months but no longer met these criteria at 24 months. Subjective success rates remained inconclusive for equivalence. Patient satisfaction remained high and symptom severity remained markedly improved. Continued surveillance is important in women undergoing mid urethral sling surgery.

Urodynamic studies in adults: AUA/SUFU guideline.

PURPOSE: The authors of this guideline reviewed the literature regarding use of urodynamic testing in common lower urinary tract symptoms. The findings are intended to assist clinicians in the appropriate selection of urodynamic tests, following an evaluation and symptom characterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE® and EMBASE databases (searched from 1/1/90 to 3/10/11) was conducted to identify peer-reviewed publications relevant to using urodynamic tests for diagnosis, determining prognosis, guiding clinical management decisions and improving patient outcomes in patients with various urologic conditions. The review yielded an evidence base of 393 studies after application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. These publications were used to create the evidence basis for characterizing the statements presented in the guideline as Standards, Recommendations or Options. When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence for a particular treatment was assigned a strength rating of A (high), B (moderate) or C (low). In the absence of sufficient evidence, additional information is provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinion. RESULTS: The evidence-based guideline statements are provided for diagnosis and overall management of common LUTS conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The Panel recognizes that each patient presenting with LUTS is unique. This Guideline is intended to serve as a tool facilitating the most effective utilization of urodynamic testing as part of a comprehensive evaluation of patients presenting with LUTS.

Patient related factors associated with long-term urinary continence after Burch colposuspension and pubovaginal fascial sling surgeries.

PURPOSE: We examined preoperative and postoperative patient related factors associated with continence status up to 7 years after surgery for stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women randomized to Burch colposuspension or fascial sling surgery and assessed for the primary outcome of urinary continence 2 years after surgery were eligible to enroll in a prospective observational study. Survival analysis was used to investigate baseline and postoperative factors in the subsequent risk of stress urinary incontinence, defined as self-report of stress urinary incontinence symptoms, incontinence episodes on a 3-day diary or surgical re-treatment. RESULTS: Of the women who participated in the randomized trial 74% (482 of 655) were enrolled in the followup study. Urinary continence rates decreased during a period of 2 to 7 years postoperatively from 42% to 13% in the Burch group and from 52% to 27% in the sling group, respectively. Among the baseline factors included in the first multivariable model age (p = 0.03), prior stress urinary incontinence surgery (p = 0.02), menopausal status (0.005), urge index (0.006), assigned surgery (p = 0.01) and recruiting site (p = 0.02) were independently associated with increased risk of incontinence. In the final multivariable model including baseline and postoperative factors, Burch surgery (p = 0.01), baseline variables of prior urinary incontinence surgery (p = 0.04), menopausal status (p = 0.03) and postoperative urge index (p <0.001) were each significantly associated with a greater risk of recurrent urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative and postoperative urgency incontinence symptoms, Burch urethropexy, prior stress urinary incontinence surgery and menopausal status were negatively associated with long-term continence rates. More effective treatment of urgency urinary incontinence in patients who undergo stress urinary incontinence surgery may improve long-term overall continence status.

Pharmacologic treatment for urgency-predominant urinary incontinence in women diagnosed using a simplified algorithm: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes associated with the initiation of treatment for urgency-predominant incontinence in women diagnosed by a simple 3-item questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a multicenter, double-blinded, 12-week randomized trial of pharmacologic therapy for urgency-predominant incontinence in ambulatory women diagnosed by the simple 3-item questionnaire. Participants (N = 645) were assigned randomly to fesoterodine therapy (4-8 mg daily) or placebo. Urinary incontinence was assessed with the use of voiding diaries; postvoid residual volume was measured after treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, women who had been assigned randomly to fesoterodine therapy reported 0.9 fewer urgency and 1.0 fewer total incontinence episodes/day, compared with placebo (P ≤ .001). Four serious adverse events occurred in each group, none of which was related to treatment. No participant had postvoid residual volume of ≥ 250 mL after treatment. CONCLUSION: Among ambulatory women with urgency-predominant incontinence diagnosed with a simple 3-item questionnaire, pharmacologic therapy resulted in a moderate decrease in incontinence frequency without increasing significant urinary retention or serious adverse events, which provides support for a streamlined algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of female urgency-predominant incontinence.