Current and Emerging Pharmacological Targets and Treatments of Urinary Incontinence and Related Disorders.

Overactive bladder syndrome with and without urinary incontinence and related conditions, signs, and disorders such as detrusor overactivity, neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, underactive bladder, stress urinary incontinence, and nocturia are common in the general population and have a major impact on the quality of life of the affected patients and their partners. Based on the deliberations of the subcommittee on pharmacological treatments of the 7th International Consultation on Incontinence, we present a comprehensive review of established drug targets in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome and the aforementioned related conditions and the approved drugs used in its treatment. Investigational drug targets and compounds are also reviewed. We conclude that, despite a range of available medical treatment options, a considerable medical need continues to exist. This is largely because the existing treatments are symptomatic and have limited efficacy and/or tolerability, which leads to poor long-term adherence. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Urinary incontinence and related disorders are prevalent in the general population. While many treatments have been approved, few patients stay on long-term treatment despite none of them being curative. This paper provides a comprehensive discussion of existing and emerging treatment options for various types of incontinence and related disorders.

British Association of Urological Surgeons Consensus statements on the management of ketamine uropathy.

OBJECTIVES: To provide guidance in the form of consensus statement in the management of ketamine uropathy. METHODS: A literature review of ketamine uropathy was performed. The consensus method was of a modified nominal group technique and has been use in the previous British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus documents and was led by the Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology Section of the BAUS. RESULTS: A number of consensus statements detailing the assessment and management of urological complications relate to the recreational use of ketamine (ketamine uropathy) in both elective and emergency urology settings. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive management pathway for ketamine-related urinary tract dysfunction and uropathy has been detailed.

What is the best first choice oral drug therapy for OAB?

AIMS: The management of overactive bladder (OAB) involves lifestyle changes and conservative measures in the first instance with the use of liquid/dietary advice, weight loss, and bladder training. Thereafter oral pharmacotherapy is instigated in symptomatic patients. Antimuscarinics and beta 3 agonists form the main classes of drug therapy in this field. Views on what is the best first line OAB treatment is changing based on recent evidence and adverse event profiles of these medications. METHODS: At the ICI-RS meeting 2023, Bristol, UK this topic was discussed and debated as a proposal. The following article summarizes the concepts presented that day as well as the interactive discussion that took place thereafter. RESULTS: OAB guidelines are moving in many circumstances to an either antimuscarinic or beta 3 agonist approach based on patient factors. Several studies have raised concerns on the long-term impact of antimuscarinics, in relation to cognition, dementia, cardiovascular events, and mortality all related to antimuscarinic load. Neither antimuscarinics nor beta 3 agonists have good persistence and adherence rates in the medium to long term. Several barriers also exist to prescribing including guidelines recommending utilizing drugs with the lowest acquisition cost and "step therapy." A newer approach to managing OAB is personalized therapy in view of the many possible etiological factors and phenotypes. These concepts are highlighted in this article. CONCLUSIONS: Current oral pharmacotherapy in managing OAB is limited by adverse events, adherence and persistence problems. Both antimuscarinics and beta 3 agonists are efficacious but most clinical trials demonstrate significant placebo effects in this field. Personalizing treatment to the individual seems a logical approach to OAB. There is a need for better treatments and further studies are required of existing treatments with high quality longer term outcomes.

Can we predict whether a man with acute or chronic urinary retention will void after bladder outflow resistance reduction surgery? ICI-RS 2023.

AIMS: To address the predictive factors of a successful voiding after bladder outflow resistance reduction surgery (BORRS) in men presenting with acute or chronic urinary retention (UR). METHODS: A think tank (TT) of ICI-RS was gathered in 2023, Bristol, UK, to discuss several aspects of the problem, such as the pathophysiology of UR, the clinical and urodynamic evaluation of men with UR and whether it is possible to predict which men will be able to successfully void after treatment with contemporary surgical options. RESULTS: The TT agreed that successful voiding after BORRS depends on several factors but that a strong recommendation cannot be made regarding preoperative evaluation and whether there are predictive factors of success because of the heterogeneity of patients and methodology in published trials. The diagnosis of obstruction in men with UR may be challenging when there is apparent reduced detrusor contraction during urodynamic studies. Even in the absence of bladder contractility there is documentation of such cases that have voided adequately after BORRS. Still, detrusor underactivity and inadequate relief of prostatic obstruction are the main causes of an unsuccessful voiding after BORRS. Conventional resection and enucleation methods remain the most successful surgeries in relieving UR in men, whereas the efficacy of minimally invasive surgical treatments needs to be assessed further. CONCLUSION: Research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of UR and the predictors of successful voiding after different types of BORRS in men with UR.

Can we predict and manage persistent storage and voiding LUTS following bladder outflow resistance reduction surgery in men? ICI-RS 2023.

AIMS: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) persist in up to 50% of patients after bladder outflow resistance reduction surgery (BORRS) in men. Our think tank aims to address the predictive factors for persistent LUTS after BORRS and to propose the recommendations for future research to enable improved better patient counseling and selection by more accurate prediction of treatment outcome. METHODS: A think tank of ICI-RS gathered in 2023, Bristol, UK, to discuss the pre and postsurgical clinical and urodynamic evaluation of men undergoing BORRS and whether it is possible to predict which men will have persistent LUTS after BORRS. RESULTS: Our think tank agrees that due to the multifactorial, and still not fully understood, etiology of male LUTS it is not possible to precisely predict in many men who will have persistent LUTS after BORRS. However, severe storage symptoms (overactive bladder, OAB) in association with low volume and high amplitude detrusor overactivity and low bladder capacity in preoperative urodynamics, increase the likelihood of persistent OAB/storage symptoms after BORRS. Furthermore, patients who are clearly obstructed and have good bladder contractility on preoperative pressure flow studies do better postoperatively compared to their counterparts. However, the benefit of pressure flow studies is decreased in patients who do not acceptably void during the study. Poor voiding after BORRS may occur due to persistent obstruction or detrusor underactivity. CONCLUSION: Future research is needed to increase our understanding of why male LUTS persist after surgery, and to enable better patient selection and more precise patient counseling before BORRS.

Sacral neuromodulation in the management of chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a treatment approved for use in several conditions including refractory overactive bladder (OAB) and voiding dysfunction. Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a debilitating condition for which treatment is often challenging. SNM shows promising effect in patients with refractory CPP. However, there is a lack of clear evidence, especially in long-term outcomes. This systematic review will assess outcomes of SNM for treating CPP. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central and clinical trial databases was completed from database inception until January 14, 2022. Studies using original data investigating SNM in an adult population with CPP which recorded pre and posttreatment pain scores were selected. Primary outcome was numerical change in pain score. Secondary outcomes were quality of life assessment and change in medication use and all-time complications of SNM. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Tool for cohort studies. RESULTS: Twenty-six of 1026 identified articles were selected evaluating 853 patients with CPP. The implantation rate after test-phase success was 64.3%. Significant improvement of pain scores was reported in 13 studies; three studies reported no significant change. WMD in pain scores on a 10-point scale was -4.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -5.32 to -3.95, p < 0.00001) across 20 studies which were quantitatively synthesized: effects were maintained at long-term follow-up. Mean follow-up was 42.5 months (0-59). Quality of life was measured by RAND SF-36 and EQ-5D questionnaires and all studies reported improvement in quality of life. One hundred and eighty-nine complications were reported in 1555 patients (Clavien-Dindo Grade I-IIIb). Risk of bias ranged from low to high risk. Studies were case series and bias stemmed from selection bias and loss to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Sacral Neuromodulation is a reasonably effective treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain and significantly reduces pain and increases patients' quality of life with immediate to long-term effects.

Patient pathway in a tertiary referral pelvic floor unit: Telephone triage assessment clinic.

BACKGROUND: To meet the increasing demands for colorectal pelvic floor services, a dedicated telephone triage assessment clinic (TTAC) was set up to establish a more efficient pathway, and reduce waiting times and patient's visits to the hospital. The primary aim of this study was to review TTAC in patients suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction and assess its feasibility. Secondary aims include measurement of waiting times for TTAC, main presenting complaints, and main treatment outcomes, including the need for review by a consultant surgeon. METHODS: Review of data collected retrospectively in a single tertiary referral center collected from an institutional database. KEY RESULTS: Between January 2016 and October 2017, 1192 patients referred to our pelvic floor unit were suitable for TTAC. Of these, 694 patients had complete records. There were 66 without follow-up after the initial TTAC, leaving 628 patients for analysis. In all, 86% were females and 14% were males, with a mean age of 52 years (range: 18-89). The median waiting time for TTAC was 31 days (range: 0-184). The main presenting complaint during the TTAC was obstructive defecation in 69.4%, fecal incontinence in 28.5%, and rectal prolapse in 2.1%. In our study, 611 patients had conservative management (97.3%), with a median of three sessions per patient (range: 1-16), while 82 patients (13.1%) needed a surgical intervention. Only 223 patients (35.5%) were reviewed by a consultant at some stage during the study period. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: To optimize resources, an adequate triage system allowed us to streamline the pathway for each individual patient with pelvic floor dysfunction according to their symptoms and/or test results with the aim of reducing waiting times and expediting treatment.

The translational implications of the science behind the overactive bladder and the role of OnabotulinumtoxinA.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a very common condition that can affect patients of all ages and the commonest cause is an overactive bladder (OAB). Most patients with OAB were treated with pharmacotherapy and major surgery. Over 25 years ago, Dasgupta, Fowler et al. studied the presence and role of C fibres in the human bladder which are highly sensitive to capsaicin, the active ingredient of chillies. When capsaicin was instilled into patients' bladders as a synthetic solution, it was found to be highly effective in some patients. Capsaicin was later replaced by Resiniferatoxin. Both toxins desensitised C-fibres through the capsaicin receptor, TRPV1, without any lasting damage to the bladder itself. The discovery of botulinum toxin and its use in the treatment of OAB represents a major breakthrough, in the treatment of OAB. Another key innovation was the development of technique to administer the drug under local anaesthesia which allowed numerous patients to benefit from treatment who would otherwise have been precluded because of the need for injection under general anaesthetic. After extensive trials over many years Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA) is now licensed for use in OAB. Compared to other treatments for overactive bladder, OnabotulinumtoxinA is more cost-effective and less invasive. It is thought to have changed the quality of life of an estimated 5 million patients worldwide.

British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus document: Management of female voiding dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: To report the British Association of Urological Surgeon's (BAUS) guidance on the assessment and management of female voiding dysfunction. METHODS: A contemporary literature search was conducted to identify the evidence base. The BAUS Section of Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology (FNUU) Executive Committee formed a guideline development group to draw up and review the recommendations. Where there was no supporting evidence, expert opinion of the BAUS FNUU executive committee, FNUU Section and BAUS members, including urology consultants working in units throughout the UK, was used. RESULTS: Female patients with voiding dysfunction can present with mixed urinary symptoms or urinary retention in both elective and emergency settings. Voiding dysfunction is caused by a wide range of conditions which can be categorized into bladder outlet obstruction (attributable to functional or anatomical causes) or detrusor underactivity. Guidance on the assessment, investigation and treatment of women with voiding dysfunction and urinary retention, in the absence of a known underlying neurological condition, is provided. CONCLUSION: Wa have produced a BAUS approved consensus on the management pathway for female voiding dysfunction with the aim to optimize assessment and treatment pathways for patients.

Pre-prostatectomy membranous urethral length as a predictive factor of post prostatectomy incontinence requiring surgical intervention with an artificial urinary sphincter or a male sling.

AIMS: To ascertain whether the membranous urethral length (MUL) is predictive of postprostatectomy incontinence (PPI) that requires surgery such as artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) or male sling (MS). METHODS: Men who had undergone AUS or MS for PPI were identified from a prospectively maintained database and compared to a control group of men who were continent at 12 months after radical prostatectomy. MUL in sagittal and coronal planes, sphincter height and width were measured on prebiopsy T2-weighted MRI scans. Sphincter volume was estimated as an ellipsoid cylinder. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients (64 AUS and 31 MS) were compared to 60 continent controls. There was no statistical difference in presenting PSA, prostate volume, and T-stage. The mean MUL in sagittal and coronal planes was 11.31 mm (SD: 2.6, range: 6-17 mm) and 11.43 mm (SD: 2.94, range: 5-17 mm) in patients who had AUS and MS, respectively; 15.23 mm (SD: 4.2, range: 8.25-25 mm) and 15.75 mm (SD: 4.1, range: 8-24 mm) in controls (p < 0.01). No men in the PPI surgery group had an MUL >17 mm compared to 35% (20/57 sagittal, 20/58 coronal) of controls. The odds ratio for requiring surgery for PPI was 13.4 for sagittal MUL <9 mm and 3.2 if the MUL <12 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had surgery for PPI had a significantly shorter MUL and sphincter volume than continent controls. Men with an MUL >17 mm are unlikely to require surgery for PPI whereas an MUL <12 mm significantly increases the risk of requiring surgery for PPI. MUL should be considered when discussing treatment options for prostate cancer.

Does response to percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation predict similar outcome to sacral nerve stimulation?

AIMS: Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a simple neuromodulation technique to treat an overactive bladder. It is unclear whether the response to PTNS would suggest a similar response to sacral nerve stimulation (SNS), and whether PTNS could be utilized as an alternative test phase for an SNS implant. This study assessed whether PTNS response was a reliable indicator for subsequent SNS trials. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the hospital databases to collect all patients who had PTNS and who subsequently had an SNS trial in two tertiary hospitals from 2014 to 2020. Response to both interventions was assessed. A 50% reduction in overactive symptoms (frequency-volume charts) was considered a positive response. McNemar's tests using exact binomial probability calculations were used. The statistical significance level was set to 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients who had PTNS subsequently went on to a trial of SNS. All patients except one had previously poor response to PTNS treatment. Eight of them also failed the SNS trial. However, 15 patients (including the PTNS responder) had a successful SNS trial and proceeded with the second-stage battery implantation. The difference in response rates between the PTNS and SNS trial was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Poor response to PTNS does not seem to predict the likelihood of patients responding to SNS. A negative PTNS trial should not preclude a trial of a sacral nerve implant. The predictive factors for good and poor responses will be the subject of a larger study.

British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus document: management of bladder and ureteric injury.

Injuries to the bladder and ureter are uncommon but usually require prompt urological management. Due to their infrequent nature, Urologists maybe unfamiliar with managing these acute problems and may not work in specialist centres with readily available expertise in open and abdominal surgery. We aim to provide advice in the form of a consensus statement led by the Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology (FNUU) Section of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), in consultation with BAUS members and consultants working in units throughout the UK, to create a comprehensive management pathway and a series of statements to aid clinicians.

British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) and Nurses (BAUN) consensus document: management of the complications of long-term indwelling catheters.

OBJECTIVE: To look at best evidence and expert opinion to provide advice in the form of a consensus statement lead by Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology (FNUU) section of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) in conjunction with the British Association of Urological Nurses (BAUN). METHODS: Initially a literature search was performed with incorporation of aspects of the existing guidance and further informed by UK best practice by core members of the group. The document then underwent reviews by the FNUU Executive Committee members, the BAUN executive committee, a separate experienced urologist and presented at the BAUS annual meeting 2020 to ensure wider feedback was incorporated in the document. RESULTS: Complications of long-term indwelling catheters include catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), purple urine bag syndrome, catheter blockages, bladder spasms (causing pain and urinary leakage), loss of bladder capacity, urethral erosion ("catheter hypospadias")/dilatation of bladder outlet and chronic inflammation (metaplasia and cancer risk). CONCLUSIONS: We have provided a list of recommendations and a troubleshooting table to help with the management of the complications of long term catheters.

Is pre-operative urodynamic bladder function the true predictor of outcome of male sling for post prostatectomy incontinence?

PURPOSE: To investigate pre-operative urodynamic parameters in male sling patients to ascertain whether this might better predict surgical outcomes and facilitate patient selection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, case notes and video-urodynamics, review of men who underwent AdVanceXP male sling in three London hospitals between 2012 and 2019. Urodynamics were performed in all centres, while retrograde leak point pressure (RLPP) was performed in one centre. RESULTS: Successful outcome was seen in 99/130 (76%) of men who required one pad or less per day. The dry rate was 51%. Pad usage was linked to worse surgical outcomes, mean 2.6 (range 1-6.5) for success vs 3.6 (range 1-10) although the ranges were wide (p = 0.002). 24 h pad weight also reached statistical significance (p = 0.05), with a mean of 181 g for success group versus 475 g for the non-successful group. The incidence of DO in the non-successful group was significantly higher than in successful group (55% versus 29%, p = 0.0009). Bladder capacity less than 250 ml was also associated with worse outcomes (p = 0.003). Reduced compliance was not correlated with outcomes (31% for success groups vs 45% for non-successful group, p = 0.15). Preoperative RLPP was performed in 60/130 patients but did not independently reach statistical significance (p = 0.25). CONCLUSION: Urodynamic parameters related to bladder function-detrusor overactivity and reduced maximum cystometric capacity predict male sling outcomes and may help in patient selection for male sling (or sphincter) surgery; whereas urodynamic parameters of sphincter incompetency (RLPP) were not predictive. Further larger scale studies are required to confirm these findings.

ATP shows more potential as a urinary biomarker than acetylcholine and PGE2 , but its concentration in urine is not a simple function of dilution.

AIMS: To determine whether the amount of ATP, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), and acetylcholine (ACh) in voided urine are influenced enough by that released within the lower urinary tract (LUT) for them to be useful biomarkers of bladder function. METHODS: Participants without LUT symptoms collected total urine voids at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min (20 males/23 females) and 240 min (18 males/26 females) following the previous void. Aliquots of urine were immediately frozen at -20°C and later used to measure ATP (luciferin-luciferase), PGE2 (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), ACh (mass spectrometry), creatinine (colorimetric), and lactose dehydrogenase (colorimetric). RESULTS: The amount of ATP in voided urine correlated strongly with the rate of urine production, suggesting that the majority, if not all, the ATP in voided urine has an LUT, and likely bladder, origin. In contrast, there appeared to be no significant net LUTs release of creatinine or ACh into the urine. PGE2 was intermediate with an LUT component that increased with urine production rate and contributed about 25% of the total at 1 ml/min in women but a smaller fraction in men. CONCLUSION: Whereas the majority of the ATP measured within the voided urine originates in the LUT, ACh reflects that extracted from the plasma in the kidneys and PGE2 is a mixture of both sources. ATP has the most potential as a biomarker of benign bladder disorders. Expressing urinary ATP concentration relative to creatinine concentration is questioned in light of these results.

Prevalence of chronic pain following suburethral mesh sling implantation for post-prostatectomy incontinence.

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative pain and complications following AdVance™/AdVance™ XP male sling implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-center retrospective medical notes review of patients implanted for bothersome post-prostatectomy incontinence was conducted. All patients were telephoned to provide further information on pain or further complications related to their surgery. Statistical evaluation utilized logistical regression analysis. Additionally, a literature review was conducted reviewing pain outcomes following AdVance™/AdVance™ XP implantation. RESULTS: One-hundred and twenty-seven men were reviewed over an 8-year period. The mean age was 70 years, with mean follow up 52 months. Of those with mild stress urinary incontinence, 45 (79%) had a successful outcome compared to 42 (72%) in the moderate group. Twenty-nine (23%) men reported postoperative pain, with a mean maximal pain score of 6 (range: 0-10). The majority of pain resolved within 4 weeks (19/29 men). A further seven patients resolved by 3 months. Only three men (2.3%) had chronic pain greater than 3 months, which all resolved by 1 year. Men less than 65 years were more likely to suffer pain (p = 0.009). Acute urinary retention occurred in 23 (18%) men and correlated significantly with postoperative pain (p = 0.04). Overactive bladder symptoms, severity of incontinence or radiotherapy were not correlated with postoperative pain. In our cohort, there were no extrusions, divisions, or explantations. CONCLUSION: Approximately a quarter of men experience pain in the early postoperative period. However, the severity and rates of chronic pain (>3 months) are low (2.3%) but all settle within a year.

Shifting the treatment paradigm in idiopathic overactive bladder.

PURPOSE: Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a common condition that is known to have a significant impact on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Whilst all patients will initially benefit from lifestyle modifications and behavioural therapy in the first instance drug therapy remains integral in management pathways. The purpose of this review paper is to reappraise the evidence based approach to the management of OAB in addition to exploring a new treatment algorithm for the escalation of treatment in those patients with refractory symptoms. DESIGN: Literature Review RESULTS: Antimuscarinic drugs are currently the most commonly used medication although the introduction of mirabegron, a ß3 agonist, has provided an alternative and also allowed combination therapy in those patients who have failed to improve on primary therapy or who have troublesome side effects. For those patients with symptoms of refractory OAB more invasive therapies including OnabotulinumtoxinA, sacral neuromodulation and Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) may be indicated. CONCLUSION: We propose a new, evidence based, treatment algorithm for the management of OAB in patients who remain refractory to first line therapy.

The MIC-KEY button vesicostomy: a superior alternative for suprapubic drainage?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the MIC-KEY button vesicostomy as an alternative to indwelling suprapubic catheters (SPCs) for bladder drainage in adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Phase II pilot study prospectively evaluating patients with indwelling SPCs that were converted to MIC-KEY buttons, or cystoscopic-guided de novo insertion, between November 2014 and February 2019. In all, 15 patients (14 female, one male) had indwelling SPCs that had conversion or attempted conversion to MIC-KEY button, and one (male) had a cystoscopic-guided de novo insertion with a history of previous suprapubic catheterisation. The mean (range) age was 44.2 (13-73) years. Catheter-related quality-of-life (C-IQoL) questionnaire data were collected at baseline and 3 months. RESULTS: Two patients had attempted conversion but were abandoned perioperatively due to sizing issues and insertion difficulties, respectively. Three patients were subsequently converted back to a SPC; due to button sizing (18 days), leaking (3 months), and recurrent infection (13 months). The remaining 11 patients have remained well with continued drainage via the MIC-KEY button; mean (range) duration since conversion was 34.2 (5-105) months. The C-IQoL score improved 3 months after insertion, from 50.0 to 75.4. Changes were performed dependent on patient's personalised management, typically every 3 months, under local or general anaesthetic. CONCLUSION: The MIC-KEY button is a safe alternative to SPC drainage in adults in the short- to medium-term, in a selected cohort.

Case-finding tools for the diagnosis of OAB in women: A narrative review.

AIMS: Overactive bladder (OAB) remains underdiagnosed with many patients never seeking medical help. Methods to aid early identification and treatment of OAB will be hugely beneficial, and to this end several case-finding tools have been developed. The aim of this review is to critically analyse the literature regarding case-finding tools that have been validated specifically for the detection of OAB in women. METHODS: A literature search of the PubMed database was performed until July 2019 using the search terms screening and OAB or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Names of individual case-finding tools included in the sixth International Consultation on Incontinence were also searched on the PubMed database. Original articles on the validation of patient-reported screening questionnaires for the detection of OAB in women were included. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The validation studies of 11 case-finding tools were assessed. All demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for OAB or incontinence symptoms, and five tools have been most extensively validated for this condition (bladder control self-assessment questionnaire [B-SAQ], OAB-V8, OAB-V3, OAB symptom score, and questionnaire for urinary incontinence diagnosis). B-SAQ and OAB-V8 demonstrated high sensitivity whilst actionable bladder symptom screening tool was the most specific. B-SAQ was the only tool in this review to encompass screening for "red-flag" symptoms (hematuria, pain), and it has also been validated in a primary care setting. CONCLUSIONS: Several case-finding tools have been demonstrated to have high accuracy for diagnosing OAB in women. B-SAQ encompasses other LUTS as well as "red-flag" symptoms; its use should be promoted in primary care.

How can we prevent postprostatectomy urinary incontinence by patient selection, and by preoperative, peroperative, and postoperative measures? International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society 2018.

AIMS: To review current prevention strategies for urinary incontinence among patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: This is a consensus report of the proceedings of a research proposal from the annual International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS), 14 to 16 June 2018 (Bristol, UK): "How can we prevent postprostatectomy incontinence by patient selection, and by preoperative, peroperative, and postoperative measures?" RESULTS: Several baseline parameters were proposed as predicting factors for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPUI), including age, tumor stage, prostate volume, preoperative lower urinary tract symptoms, maximum urethral closure pressure, and previous transurethral resection of the prostate. More recently, magnetic resonance imaging has been used to measure the membranous urethral length and sphincter volume. Peroperative techniques include preservative and reconstructive approaches. Bladder neck preservation improved early (6 months), as well as long-term (>12 months) continence rates. Several prospective studies have reported earlier return of continence following preservation of puboprostatic ligaments, although no long-term data are available. Preservation of the urethral length yielded controversial outcomes. Concerning postoperative strategies, it is probably optimal to remove the catheter in a window between 4 and 7 days if clinically appropriate; however, more research in this regard is still required. Postoperative PFME (preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise) appears to speed up the recovery of continence after RP. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative strategies to prevent PPUI include proper patient selection and PFME. Peroperative techniques have largely shown benefit in the short term. Postoperative complications and timing of trial without catheter can influence continence status. Future research initiatives must assess peroperative and postoperative measures, with longer-term follow-up.