RESUMEN
UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a well-established treatment for patients with chronic LUTS. The selection of eligible candidates could be improved by identifying factors that can predict a successful response. In the present study, we evaluated the role of various psychological and psychiatric factors in relation to SNM treatment. OBJECTIVE: ⢠To evaluate if psychological and psychiatric factors can predict the outcome of test stimulation or permanent treatment with sacral neuromodulation (SNM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: ⢠Between 2006 and 2009, patients with overactive bladder syndrome or non-obstructive urinary retention who were eligible for test stimulation were included. ⢠All patients completed the Amsterdam Biographic Questionnaire (ABQ), which measures the personality traits of the patient, and the Symptom Check-List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), which is a screening instrument for neuroticism, and for current level of complaints. ⢠The results of the questionnaires were compared with the outcomes of test stimulation and permanent treatment. ⢠In addition to the questionnaires, we also included the psychiatric history as a potential predictive factor. RESULTS: ⢠On univariate analysis there was no relationship between the psychological characteristics and the outcome of test stimulation or the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) with permanent treatment. ⢠A history of psychiatric disease was not related to the outcome of test stimulation, but was shown to be a positive predictor for the occurrence of AEs with permanent SNM treatment. CONCLUSIONS: ⢠In the present study there was no evidence that psychological screening with the ABQ or SCL-90-R can predict the outcome of SNM treatment. ⢠Patients with a medical history of psychiatric disease appear to be more likely to encounter AEs with permanent SNM treatment.