The lower urinary tract in women--effect of aging and menopause on continence.

This review paper briefly describes the physiology of the lower urinary tract in women, with emphasis on the bladder-filling phase and the factors that effect urinary continence and incontinence. Attention is placed on the effects of aging and menopause. While most factors influencing the bladder-filling phase are thought to be affected by aging and menopause, the exact correlation and mechanism are not yet known. Clinical data and recent meta-analysis seem to support the theory that estrogen supplementation may have a role in managing urinary incontinence in post-menopausal women. Without due understanding of the aging process effect on the function of the lower urinary tract, therapeutic trials will remain poorly focused.

Estrogen therapy in the management of urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis. First report of the Hormones and Urogenital Therapy Committee.

OBJECTIVE: To apply a meta-analysis to available data to evaluate the efficacy of estrogen therapy in the management of postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence. METHODS: The literature review incorporated English language articles based on a search of EXCERPTA MEDICA, BIOSIS, and MEDLINE from January 1969 to June 1992. Criteria included: peer-reviewed original article, confirmed diagnosis of urinary incontinence, an estrogen-treated group, and outcome data on subjective improvement, quantitation of fluid loss, or maximum urethral closure pressure. In addition, the data had to allow comparison between treated and control groups in controlled trials or an estimated change in uncontrolled series. meta-analytic methods were applied only to studies considered to be controlled clinical trials. RESULTS: Of 166 articles reviewed, 143 did not meet the entry criteria; six were considered controlled clinical trials and 17 were uncontrolled series. Meta-analysis found an overall significant effect of estrogen therapy on subjective improvement for all subjects (P < .01) and for subjects with genuine stress incontinence alone (P < .05). The results showed no significant effect on quantity of fluid loss but a significant effect (P < .05) on maximum urethral closure pressure. However, the latter result was influenced by only one study showing a large effect. CONCLUSION: It appears from this analysis that estrogen subjectively improves urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women. However, the studies included nonhomogeneous groups, and the diagnostic criteria, therapeutic interventions, and outcome assessments varied considerably.

Dynamic urethral pressure profilometry pressure transmission ratio determinations after continence surgery: understanding the mechanism of success, failure, and complications.

Twenty-two women who had previously undergone continence surgery for the correction of stress urinary incontinence were evaluated with dynamic urethral pressure profilometry and had bladder-to-urethra pressure transmission ratios calculated. Eight of the subjects had recurrent or persistent genuine stress incontinence (group 1), seven had detrusor instability (group 2), and seven had normal continence and detrusor function (group 3). In addition, we evaluated ten subjects with detrusor instability but no previous surgery (group 4). There were clear and significant differences in pressure transmission ratios between the four groups. These differences suggest that subjects in group 1 have the same basic mechanisms of incontinence (ie, inefficient pressure transmission to the urethra as reflected by pressure transmission ratios less than 90%) as do never-operated women with genuine stress incontinence. Subjects in group 2 had pressure transmission ratios that were significantly higher than those in either group 3 or 4. This supports the hypothesis that obstruction may play a role in post-continence surgery detrusor instability, but not in idiopathic detrusor instability. Group 2 subjects had pressure transmission ratios very close to the ideal of 100%. We postulate that continence procedures that consistently result in pressure transmission ratios close to 100% should have the greatest chance for success without inducing complications.

The mechanism of urinary continence in women with severe uterovaginal prolapse: results of barrier studies.

Eleven continent women with severe degrees of uterovaginal prolapse underwent a complete urodynamic evaluation that included passive and dynamic urethral pressure profilometry with and without careful barrier reduction of their prolapse. The aim of barrier placement was to reduce, but not overcorrect, the prolapse and to restrict stress-induced mobility of the viscera posterior and superior to the urethra. Each of the women had very high pressure transmission ratios in each quarter of the urethra (means of 257, 187, 170, and 166% from internal to external quarters) that were significantly reduced with barrier placement (means of 78, 84, 85, and 101%). Eight of 11 subjects had pressure transmission ratios less than 90% in the proximal three-quarters of the urethra with the barrier in place, a finding in nearly all subjects with genuine stress urinary incontinence. Maximum urethral closure pressure on passive urethral pressure profilometry also decreased significantly from a mean of 75 to 45 cm H2O with the barrier in place. We conclude that the stress continence mechanism in women with severe prolapse results from posterior-superior visceral descent with stress, causing mechanical obstruction of the less mobile urethra. The evaluation methods described may be useful in predicting which of these patients may require concurrent urethropexy at the time of prolapse reduction surgery to prevent postoperative stress urinary incontinence.

Medical students' evaluation in obstetrics and gynecology.

A system for the evaluation of clinical clerks in obstetrics and gynecology is presented. Final grades were assigned through faculty judgment rather than by the use of a numerical formula. Judgment was based on narratives and grades on clinical performance as well as results of oral and written examinations. All elements of the evaluation correlated with the final grade. The clinical grade correlated best. The final grades assigned by judgment were compared with those that would have resulted from applying a numerical formula. They differed in the distribution of higher grades, but were identical for the lower grades. Both correlated equally with the Obstetrics and Gynecology subtest of the National Boards, Part II examination.

Incisional bladder hernia and urinary incontinence: report of three cases.

Herniation of the bladder has been primarily described in association with inguinal and femoral hernias. Review of the literature yielded only one case report of incisional bladder hernia. The authors report three cases of herniation of the bladder through a postoperative fascial defect. All patients presented with nonspecific sensory lower urinary tract symptoms, pelvic discomfort, and urinary incontinence. Involuntary urine loss as related to bladder hernia has been mentioned only circumstantially. Although urodynamic evaluations were performed, the mechanism of urinary incontinence could not be clarified. Cystography was essential in arriving at a definitive diagnosis.

Psychosocial impact of urinary incontinence in women.

This study explored the psychosocial impact of urinary incontinence and investigated its relationship to urodynamic diagnosis and degree of involuntary urine loss. The sample comprised 69 community-dwelling women, ages 55 years and older, who were ambulatory and mentally intact, and who had volunteered in a clinical trial on incontinence. Psychosocial impact was measured by an investigator-designed instrument, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire. Urodynamic evaluation included detrusor and urethral sphincteric function tests. Subjects were grouped into two urodynamic diagnostic categories: sphincteric incompetence (N = 47) and detrusor instability with or without concomitant sphincteric incompetence (N = 22). Severity of incontinence was determined by a one-week urinary diary and a fluid loss quantitation test. Each of the items on the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire was affected by urinary incontinence, although to varying degrees. Activities involving unfamiliar places where the availability of restrooms was unknown were most affected. Subjects with detrusor instability with or without concomitant sphincteric incompetence reported significantly higher impact than subjects with sphincteric incompetence alone. There were modest correlations between psychosocial impact scores and both the number of weekly incontinent episodes and the quantitation of fluid loss. The results in this study population indicate that the relationships between the perceived impact of incontinence and objective measures of its severity are complex and not directly proportionate.

The urinary diary in evaluation of incontinent women: a test-retest analysis.

This study investigated the use of a one-week urinary diary in the evaluation of incontinent women. The sample consisted of 50 community-dwelling women, ages 55 years and older, ambulatory, and mentally intact, who were volunteers in a clinical trial on behavioral management for urinary incontinence. All subjects kept a urinary diary for two consecutive weeks. An analysis of the immediate (one-week) test-retest variability and correlations on weekly diurnal micturition frequency, nocturnal micturition frequency, and urinary incontinent episodes were performed in subjects with sphincteric incompetence alone (N = 34) and in those with detrusor instability with or without concomitant sphincteric incompetence (N = 16). In addition, information obtained on history was compared with that obtained from the diary. Diurnal micturition frequency, nocturnal micturition frequency, and number of incontinent episodes were highly reproducible and did not differ by urodynamic diagnosis. Test-retest correlations were highest with diurnal micturition frequency and incontinent episodes. Lower correlations were observed with nocturnal micturition frequency, with a significant difference observed between diagnostic groups. Although modest, significant relationships between data collected by history and diary were observed in the overall sample, but there were significant differences between diagnostic groups. The results indicate that a one-week diary is a reliable method for assessing the frequency of voluntary micturitions and involuntary episodes of urine loss.

Postmenopausal urinary incontinence: comparison between non-estrogen-supplemented and estrogen-supplemented women.

Clinical and urodynamic variables of 49 non-estrogen-supplemented and 23 estrogen-supplemented postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence were compared. We ascertained their estrogenic status via plasma estradiol and estrone levels, as well as from parabasal and superficial cell counts from both the urethra and vagina. The effect of estrogen supplementation, in conjunction with the effect of age and urodynamic diagnosis, was studied in relation to filling-phase urodynamic data and incontinence severity and outcome variables. Analysis of covariance was used. No direct effect of estrogen supplementation was noted on parameters of urethral function. In patients with detrusor instability, a borderline direct positive effect (P = .06) was noted in the volume needed to reach maximal cystometric capacity from the first sensation to void. For these patients, the magnitude of fluid loss was greater without estrogen supplementation. However, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Nocturia was significantly less frequent in the estrogen-supplemented groups (P = .04). Estrogen-supplemented patients had a higher incidence of positive bulbocavernosus reflex (P = .01). These observations suggest that hypoestrogenism may affect the sensory threshold of the lower urinary tract of incontinent postmenopausal women.

Lichen planus of the vulva.

Lichen planus is an uncommon cutaneous disease that can affect the vulva. Vulvar pruritus and pain are common symptoms in patients with genital involvement. Examination reveals an erythematous, friable vestibule with adherent exudate. Marked resorption of the labia minor and atrophy may occur in time. Diagnosis is based on associated clinical findings involving the oral mucosa and/or the skin and on vulvar biopsy.