Overactive bladder and women's sexual health: what is the impact?

Sexual function in women with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms: findings from the symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction research network (LURN) cohort study

BACKGROUND

Bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can negatively affect the quality of life in women, including sexual function.

AIM

The primary aim of the study was to explore the association between LUTS severity and sexual functioning among women with LUTS.

METHODS

Female participants enrolled in the Symptoms of the first Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN-I) observational cohort study with a frequency rating of at least "sometimes" and a bother rating of at least "somewhat" on at least one LUTS Tool question. LUTS and sexual function were quantified by patient questionnaires at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after study enrollment. LUTS were assessed via the LUTS Tool, while sexual function was assessed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, International Urogynecological Association-Revised (PISQ-IR). Longitudinal analyses were restricted to females with completed baseline and 12-month (or 3-month, if missing) questionnaires. Associations between baseline sexual function, clinical characteristics, and LUTS were analyzed using linear regression.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcomes were bothersome LUTS, defined by the LUTS Tool, and sexual function, defined by the PISQ-IR.

RESULTS

Female participants (n = 528) were identified. At baseline, 245 participants were not sexually active (NSA), while 283 were sexually active (SA). Baseline characteristics of the cohort are described in Table 1; compared with NSA, SA was younger (49 vs 63 years) and more likely to be married/civil union (67% vs 43%). Less severe LUTS (10 points lower) was associated with higher (better) PISQ-IR summary and subscale scores (condition-specific, condition-impact, global quality, and arousal/orgasm subscales) for SA participants. For NSA participants, less severe LUTS was associated with higher condition-specific and condition-impact subscale scores. A subset of participants (n = 406) had follow-up data at 12 months. Longitudinally, LUTS Tool scores improved on average from baseline to 12 months by seven points, while PISQ-IR scores generally remained stable.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

As LUTS improves, overall sexual function in SA and NSA women remains stable.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Strengths of the study include the use of a validated sexual function questionnaire, PISQ-IR, which captures sexual function in women who are not SA. Limitations of the study include the fact that participants presented to tertiary academic centers for care, which may limit the study's generalizability.

CONCLUSION

In a large cohort of women with prospectively collected data on LUTS and sexual function, sexual function largely remained stable over time even as LUTS bother improved.

"There is a lot of shame that comes with this": A qualitative study of patient experiences of isolation, embarrassment, and stigma associated with overactive bladder

AIMS

Beyond causing physical discomfort, overactive bladder (OAB) is distressing to patients across a variety of psychosocial domains. In this qualitative component of a larger mixed methods study, we explore patients' lived experience with OAB to understand how this condition impacts individuals on a personal and social level, as well as their experiences interacting with the health care system.

METHODS

A total of 20 patients and 12 physicians completed a questionnaire and semi-structured interview. The interview guide, developed in an iterative fashion by the authors, included questions about treatment decision making as well as experiences living with or treating OAB; this manuscript focuses on the questions probing lived experiences and interactions between patients and physicians. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and inductively coded and analyzed according to the principles of interpretive description to develop themes.

RESULTS

Analysis of patient and physician interviews yielded five key themes: isolation due to OAB diagnosis, social stigma associated with noticeable OAB symptoms, embarrassment from interactions with the health care system, feeling invalidated and dismissed by physicians, and OAB patients as a "vulnerable" population with "desperation" for cure.

CONCLUSIONS

OAB causes patients marked distress beyond their physical symptoms; it causes feelings of isolation from friends and family and makes them feel embarrassed to discuss their condition with loved ones and physicians alike. Efforts to destigmatize OAB, validate patient experiences, and improve access to OAB care may help diminish the psychosocial burden of OAB.

Overactive bladder negatively affects erectile function and promotes premature ejaculation: findings from large representative population-level study

PURPOSE

The effect of overactive bladder (OAB) on sexual health has been evaluated extensively for women but much less for men. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between OAB and men's sexual activity and the effect of OAB on erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) in a large representative cohort of men at the population level.

METHODS

This study was based on computer-assisted web interviews that used validated questionnaires. The most recent census and the sample size estimation calculations were employed to produce a population-representative pool.

RESULTS

The study included 3001 men, representative of the population in terms of age and place of residence. The frequency of sexual intercourse was higher for respondents without OAB symptoms compared with persons who had OAB (p = 0.001), but there was no association between OAB symptoms and number of sexual partners (p = 0.754). Regression models did not confirm the effect of OAB on sexual activity (odds ratio 0.993, CI 0.974-1.013, p = 0.511). Both ED and PE were more prevalent in respondents with OAB symptoms compared with persons who lacked those symptoms (p < 0.001). Importantly, the effect of OAB on ED or PE was independent of age, comorbidities, and lifestyle habits (regression coefficients of 0.13 and 0.158 for ED and PE, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Overactive bladder did not significantly affect men's sexual activity, but it significantly correlated with ED and PE. Our results suggest a need in daily clinical practice to screen for OAB symptoms for persons who report ED or PE.

The Investigation of Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) as a Minimally Invasive, Non-Surgical, Non-Hormonal Treatment for Overactive Bladder Symptoms

BACKGROUND

Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome affects 10-15% of women, severely impacting their quality of life. First-line treatments include behavioural and physical therapy, and second-line medical treatments include medications such as vaginal oestrogen, anticholinergic medications, and ß3-adrenergic agonists-with potential adverse side effects including dizziness, constipation, and delirium, particularly affecting elderly populations. Third-line treatments include more invasive measures, including intradetrusor botulinum injections or sacral nerve modulation, with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) being a potential alternative treatment.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to explore the long-term efficacy of PTNS treatment for OAB in an Australian cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study. Patients underwent Phase 1 treatment, whereby women received PTNS treatment once per week for 12 weeks. Following Phase 1, women entered Phase 2, whereby they received 12 PTNS treatments over 6 months. Their response to treatment was measured by obtaining data before and after each phase using ICIQ-OAB and the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ).

RESULTS

Phase 1 included 166 women, with 51 completing Phase 2. There was a statistically significant reduction in urinary urgency (29.8%), nocturia (29.8%), incontinence (31.0%), and frequency (33.8%) compared to the baseline. Patients who completed Phase 2 also showed a statistically significant reduction in urinary frequency (56.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results from this study are positive and support that PTNS is a minimally invasive, non-surgical, non-hormonal, and effective treatment for OAB. These results suggest that PTNS may be a second-line treatment for patients with OAB not responding to conservative management or for patients aiming to avoid surgical approaches.

The adaptation states of women with urinary incontinence according to the Roy Adaptation Model: A qualitative study

AIMS

This study aimed to explore experiences of women with urinary incontinence (UI) according to the Roy Adaptation Model (RAM).

METHODS

A phenomenological design was used in this study, and its conceptual framework was formed by the RAM. The sample was composed of 12 women with UI. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted according to data collection tools. Semi-structured interviews were recorded in audio-recording device. Thematic approach was used to assess the data.

RESULTS

The average age of the women was 52.77 ± 7.32 years, seven women had menopause, eight had vaginal birth. According to the thematic approach, four main themes emerged: physiological mode, self-esteem mode, role function mode, and interdependence mode and they had difficulties in this regard.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that women cannot adapt to the problem of incontinence according to the dimensions of RAM. These factors are important to consider when developing strategies to address UI, diagnosis, and treatment.

Sexual Disorders in Women with Overactive Bladder and Urinary Stress Incontinence Compared to Controls: A Prospective Study

Introduction and Hypothesis Female urinary incontinence (UI) has a negative impact on sexual function and sexual quality of life (QoL) in women. But there is still no consensus on the type of UI or the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD). The aim of the study was to evaluate sexual disorders in women with overactive bladder (OAB) compared to patients with urinary stress incontinence (SUI) and healthy controls.

Materials and Methods 106 women presenting to a urogynecological outpatient clinic (referral clinic) were investigated using standardized questionnaires and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-d). All 65 incontinent women underwent a full urodynamic examination; the controls (31) were non-incontinent women in the same age range who came for routine check-ups or minor disorders not involving micturition or pelvic floor function. Women with mixed urinary incontinence, a history of previous medical or surgical treatment for UI, recurrent urinary tract infections, previous radiation therapy or pelvic organ prolapse of more than stage 2 on the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system were excluded.

Results 100 questionnaires could be evaluated (94.3%). Thirty-four women had urinary stress incontinence, 35 had OAB, 31 were controls. Mean age was 56 years, with no significant differences between groups. The scores of the questionnaire ranged from 2 to 35.1 points. The median score of OAB patients was significantly lower (17.6) than the median score of the controls (26.5; p = 0,004). The stress-incontinent women had a score of 21.95, which was lower than that of the controls but statistically non-significant (p = 0.051). In all subdomains, the OAB patients had lower scores than the stress-incontinent women and significantly lower values than the control group. Most striking was the impairment of “sexual interest in the last 4 weeks”. The figure for “none or almost no sexual activity” was 80% for the OAB group, 64.7% for the group of stress-incontinent women and 48% for the control group. Incontinence during intercourse was reported by one OAB patient and 4 stress-incontinent women but did not occur in the control group.

Conclusions There is a high prevalence of SD in women with urinary incontinence. Patients with OAB reported a greater negative impact on sexual function and had significantly lower scores for the FSFI questionnaire than patients with stress incontinence or controls.

The Patient Acceptable Symptom State in Female Urinary Incontinence

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to characterize an acceptable health state, using the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) question, in adult women with urinary incontinence.

METHODS

This is a prospective multicenter cohort study determining PASS thresholds from condition-specific measures using an electronic research platform in English-speaking women seeking nonsurgical treatment of urinary incontinence between March 2019 and May 2020. Exclusions included pregnancy, isolated overactive bladder, and pelvic organ prolapse greater than stage II. The cohort was described and then grouped based on achievement of PASS. The PASS thresholds were determined using the 75th percentile and univariate regression methods. Multivariable regression modeling was used to understand the influence of covariates on PASS achievement.

RESULTS

The study was completed by 100 (80%) of the 125 enrolled subjects. Of these, 45% (n = 45) achieved PASS after a median of 7 weeks of treatment (range, 6-13 weeks). The corresponding questionnaire score for PASS was estimated to be 6 for the Incontinence Severity Index, 3 for the Patient Global Impression of Severity and Improvement, 37.5 using the Urinary Distress Inventory 6, and 33.3 using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7. Increasing age was independently associated with achieving PASS after adjusting for treatment adherence and outcomes scores (adjusted odds ratio, 1.05 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.10]; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

PASS was achieved in 45% of women after conservative treatment of urinary incontinence. PASS offers a new perspective for analysis and interpretation of outcome measures used in pelvic floor disorders and can serve as a reference for future research and clinical care pathways.

Social media analytics of overactive bladder posts: what do patients know and want to know?

OBJECTIVE

To assess women's knowledge, patient experience, and treatment decision making regarding overactive bladder (OAB) using digital ethnography.

METHODS

Online posts were identified using a data mining service. Two hundred randomized posts were reviewed and coded using grounded theory. We then applied a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) probabilistic topic modeling process to review the entire collection of identified posts.

RESULTS

A total of 2618 posts by 1867 unique users from 203 different websites were identified. Our analysis yielded six themes: the impact of OAB on quality of life, patient-physician interactions, online engagement, symptom management, patient knowledge acquisition, and alternative therapies.

CONCLUSION

Overall, online communities are a source of support for women to self-manage the OAB symptom complex and help overcome treatment pathway challenges. Digital ethnography provides insight into patient knowledge and barriers to patient-centered care, which are important to improve patient outreach. Additionally, we identify similar findings to prior work, indicating the reliability of studying social media.

A meta-ethnography to understand the experience of living with urinary incontinence: 'is it just part and parcel of life?'

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence (UI) is highly prevalent and affects the lives of many men and women. We aimed to conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) to explore the experience of living with UI and to develop a conceptual model that can help us to understand this experience, and the potential barriers to appropriate healthcare.

METHODS

We used the methods of meta-ethnography developed by Noblit and Hare and recently refined for larger studies. Meta-ethnography involves identifying concepts from the studies and abstracting these concepts into a line of argument. We searched for studies that explored the experience of adults with UI. We used the GRADE-CERQual framework to assess confidence in review findings.

RESULTS

We screened 2307 titles, 429 abstracts, 107 full texts and included 41 studies (36 unique samples) in the synthesis. We organised the concepts into 26 conceptual categories, which we further abstracted into 6 themes: (1) Am I ill or is this normal? (2) It effects who I am and how I feel; (3) I feel stigmatised, ashamed and guilty; (4) talking can be difficult but it can help; (5) keeping incontinence under control; (6) have I got to the point that I need help? Our model conceptualises living with UI as navigating antagonists: Is UI normal or am I ill? Do I need help or am I managing? Do I keep UI to myself (and manage alone) or do I tell other people (and get the support that I need)? Do I use control strategies that focus on concealing (avoid risky situations, wear pads) versus, I use strategies that focus on improving the bodily function to improve continence. Our model highlights the experience of stigma, shame and guilt which exert a pull towards concealment.

CONCLUSIONS

The culture of secrecy and profound sense of shame is barrier to seeking help. An environment which reduces the shame and stigma of UI may help people to switch the focus to strategies that will improve continence, rather than conceal incontinence.

A comparison of sacral neuromodulation vs. transvaginal electrical stimulation for the treatment of refractory overactive bladder: the impact on quality of life, body image, sexual function, and emotional well-being

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is defined by the presence of urinary urgency, with or without urge incontinence, usually accompanied by an increase in urinary frequency and nocturia in the absence of urinary tract infections (UTI) or other diseases. The overall prevalence of OAB symptoms in the female population is reported to be 16.6% and increases with advancing age and menopause. The aetiology of OAB is not fully understood and is likely to affect a heterogeneous population of patients due to changes to their central and peripheral nervous systems. Although OAB is frequently associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD), its real impact on sexual function in women has been evaluated only in a few studies. The first line of treatment for OAB includes behavioural modification and physical therapy, either as monotherapies or in combination. Many patients who have not had success in managing their symptoms with more conservative therapies may decide to resort to third-line treatments for refractory OAB. These treatments include neuromodulation therapies, particularly transvaginal electrical stimulation (TES) and sacral neuromodulation (SN). The aim of this short commentary is to provide an overview of the effectiveness of these treatments and of their impact on quality of life, body image, sexual function, and emotional well-being.

Relationship Satisfaction of Intimate Partners of Persons Living With Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of urinary incontinence (UI) on midlife women's relationships with their intimate partners, from the perspective of both women and their partners.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, mixed-methods design.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

Purposive, convenience/snowball sampling strategies and community-based recruitment strategies were used to enroll partnered, midlife women living with UI. Participants were 43 community-dwelling midlife couples residing in the southwestern United States; female participants had stress, urgency, or mixed UI by self-report. Data were also collected from their intimate partners.

METHODS

Participants completed confidential mailed study packets comprising questionnaires on demographic information and lower urinary tract symptom profile, valid measures of the quality of the relationship, and open-ended questions to explore the effect of UI on the relationship in the participants' own words. The packet included several validated instruments: the Incontinence Severity Index, Couples Satisfaction Index, Sexual Quality of Life-Female/Male, Relational Ethics Scale, and Couples' Illness Communication Scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using tests of differences between groups and correlation analysis. Qualitative data were explored for themes and tested for significant differences in word choice by z-score analysis.

RESULTS

We found no significant differences between women and their partners in measures of the relationship and no significant associations between UI symptom severity and relationship satisfaction. Distressed partners had significantly poorer scores on sexual quality of life (P < .001), relational ethics (P = .002), and communication about UI (P = .03). Distressed couples used significantly more words than did nondistressed couples who described the woman's withdrawal from shared activities (P = .005) and avoidance of physical intimacy (P = .003), which they attributed to UI.

CONCLUSIONS

Distressed couples demonstrated the negative effects of UI on emotional and physical intimacy. Distress was attributed to how the woman coped with symptoms but not with the severity of UI symptoms.

The effect of mirabegron, used for overactive bladder treatment, on female sexual function: a prospective controlled study

BACKGROUND

Αim of the study was to determine the effect of mirabegron, used for overactive bladder (OAB) treatment, on female sexual function.

METHODS

Eighty five sexually active women suffering from overactive bladder were prospectively enrolled in this study. Females were divided into two groups. In Group A (control), 48 patients received no treatment and in Group B, 37 patients received mirabegron 50 mg/daily for 3 months. Patients were evaluated with FSFI-Gr at the beginning of the study and again after a period of 3 months.

RESULTS

In Group B, there was a significant increase post-treatment compared to baseline (p < 0.001) in total FSFI (20.3 (3.8) to 26.6 (4.2)) and all domains (desire: 3.0 (1.2) to 4.8 (1.2)), arousal: 3.0 (0.8) to 4.8 (0.9), lubrication: 3.9 (1.1) to 4.8 (1.2), orgasm: 3.6 (0.8) to 4.8 (1.0), satisfaction: 3.2 (0.4) to 4.0 (0.8) and pain: 3.2 (0.8) to 4.4 (1.2)). In Group A, there were no statistically significant changes in pre- and post-observation values.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is one of the few demonstrating that management of OAB with mirabegron improves female sexual function.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

TRN ISRCTN17199301 , 20/10/2017, retrospectively registered.

OnabotulinumtoxinA detrusor injection improves female sexual function in women with overactive bladder wet syndrome

OBJECTIVES

The correlation between changes in sexual function and improvements in LUTD in patients treated with OnabotulinumtoxinA (onaBoNT-A) detrusor injection is unclear and limited only to women with neurogenic OAB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of OnabotulinumtoxinA (onaBoNT-A) injection on sexual function in women undergoing this treatment for idiopathic wet overactive bladder (OAB).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a pilot three-center observational study including women affected by idiopathic wet overactive bladder refractory to standard conservative treatments and underwent onaBoNT-A injection. Sexuality was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A 3-day voiding diary, OAB screener questionnaire (OAB-S), and the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire short form (ICIQ-sf) were completed before and 3 months after onaBoNT-A injection to evaluate OAB symptoms.

RESULTS

All the 32 enrolled patients were included for statistical analysis. These patients received 100U of onaBoNT-A. Significant improvement of many FSFI domains was found. Only desire and pain domains had no significant improvements. The FSFI total score showed a significant improvement (P 0.0008). Clinical efficacy has been documented by voiding diaries, OAB-S scores, and ICIQ-sf scores. Correlation between UUI episodes and FSFI total score was statistically significant (r = -0.73; p = 0.04) while no significant correlation was found between the number of micturition and FSFI total score.

CONCLUSION

Women who underwent successful OnaBoNT-A detrusor injection to treat wet OAB, showed an improvement in sexual function due to the significant correlation between the improvement of urinary urge incontinence and a better gratification of sexuality.

Prevalence of overactive bladder in China, Taiwan and South Korea: Results from a cross-sectional, population-based study

Objective

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) in individuals aged ≥40 years in China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Methods

The present cross‐sectional population‐representative Internet‐based study investigated OAB symptoms in men and women aged ≥40 years using the overactive bladder symptom score. Additional instruments included the International Index of Erectile Function (men only) and the Sexual Quality of Life – Female (women only) questionnaires, as well as Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC).

Results

In all, 8284 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of OAB was 20.8% overall (women 22.1%, men 19.5%) and increased significantly with age, from 10.8% in those aged 40–44 years to 27.9% in those aged >60 years (P = .001). The presence of comorbid conditions (e.g. neurological disease, diabetes) was associated with a significantly increased prevalence of OAB. Increasing symptom severity was associated with significantly worsening patient perception of bladder condition responses. Just under half (48%) of those with no OAB had no lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), whereas 88% of those with severe symptoms had all 3 LUTS (International Continence Society definition) symptom categories (voiding, post‐micturition, and storage symptoms). Of those without OAB, 10% reported visiting healthcare professionals for urinary symptoms, compared with 64% of those with severe OAB symptoms (P = .001). Increased symptom severity was significantly associated with lower sexual quality of life in both men and women.

Conclusions

OAB symptoms were found to affect 1 in 5 individuals aged ≥40 years in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, becoming more common with increasing age. The results suggest that many more individuals with OAB could benefit by consulting healthcare professionals.

Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Female Health Profession Students: Bladder Diary Characteristics and Impact of Symptoms on Health-Related Quality of Life

INTRODUCTION

There is limited information on overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, their association with bladder irritants, or the effect of OAB on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in young women. We evaluated these issues in a group of young female health profession students.

METHODS

All female students (n = 964) attending a university in the Pacific Northwest were recruited via email or an in-person informational meeting to participate in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Outcome measures included the OAB-questionnaire, a 4-day bladder diary, and a demographic questionnaire. OAB was diagnosed if a participant reported an average of at least one episode of urgency per day on the bladder diary. Participant characteristics, bladder diary results, and HRQoL were compared using chi square, Fisher's exact test, and t-tests.

RESULTS

With a response rate of 21.2%, the average participant age was 25.5 years and 21.7% of participants were identified as having OAB. Participants with OAB consumed more caffeine (mean [standard deviation [SD] 2.0 [1.5] vs. 1.5 [1.2], p = 0.016), more carbonated beverages (mean [SD] 0.5 [0.6] vs. 0.3 [0.5], p = 0.047), more total units of bladder irritants (mean [SD] 3.1 [2.0] vs. 2.1 [1.6], p = 0.002), and had significantly worse HRQoL (p = 0.001) than those without OAB. No differences were found for other parameters measured.

CONCLUSION

Participants with OAB consumed more bladder irritants than participants without OAB. Future research should address larger groups of young women from different backgrounds, as well as other factors or characteristics that could be associated with OAB.

Urinary Incontinence and Psychosocial Factors Associated With Intimate Relationship Satisfaction Among Midlife Women

OBJECTIVE

To explore associations among symptoms of urinary incontinence, severity of symptoms, and measures of psychosocial health that may be assessed during a well-woman screening examination and the possible contribution of these variables to the relationship satisfaction of partnered midlife women living with urinary incontinence.

DESIGN

Exploratory correlational design using self-report questionnaires.

SETTING

Community recruitment by posted fliers, advertisements, and social media.

PARTICIPANTS

Partnered women, ages 45 to 65 years, with urinary incontinence (N = 57).

METHODS

Self-report measures of severity of incontinence symptoms, relationship satisfaction, self-concept/emotional health (self-esteem, body image, depression, anxiety), and relationship factors (sexual quality of life, incontinence-related communication). Data were analyzed using Spearman rho correlation with an exploration of the contribution of study factors to relationship satisfaction through standard multiple regression.

RESULTS

The severity of urinary incontinence symptoms had no significant correlation with scores on relationship satisfaction or psychosocial health. Measures of self-concept/emotional health and relationship factors were significantly correlated with each other (r_s = .40-.75, p < .01) and with relationship satisfaction (r_s = .35-.71, p < .05). Preliminary exploration of the contribution of study factors to relationship satisfaction through exploratory regression analysis showed unique contributions from sexual quality of life (18.7%, p < .001) and depression (8.7%, p = .004).

CONCLUSION

Midlife women with urinary incontinence, regardless of symptom severity, might benefit from screening for poorer sexual quality of life and mild depression symptoms because these two study factors significantly contributed to poorer intimate relationship satisfaction among this study's participants.

Adult women's experiences of urinary incontinence: a systematic review of qualitative evidence

BACKGROUND

Women are affected dramatically by urinary incontinence (UI). This disease is currently considered as epidemic.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to identify, through the best available evidence, how women experience UI worldwide.

INCLUSION CRITERIA TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS

The current review included studies of adult women who had experienced UI.

PHENOMENA OF INTEREST

Women with UI from various social and cultural settings were included in this review.

TYPES OF STUDIES

Qualitative data including, but not limited to, study designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, action research and feminist research were included in this review.

OUTCOMES

All aspects related to the experience of UI endured by women were considered.

SEARCH STRATEGY

An initial search of MEDLINE (PubMed) and CINAHL was done, followed by the exploration of all the databases and all identified studies, published in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. The databases searched were CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Lilacs, Scielo, BVS, BVS-Psi, Scopus, Embase, Sociological Abstracts, Dissertation Abstracts International and the University of São Paulo Dissertations and Thesis bank and gray literature.

METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY

Each primary study was assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality. The Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Appraisal and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI) data extraction form for interpretive and critical research was used to appraise the methodological quality of all papers.

DATA EXTRACTION

Qualitative data were extracted using the JBI-QARI.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Qualitative research findings were synthesized using the JBI-QARI.

RESULTS

From the 28 studies were included, 189 findings were extracted and they were grouped into 25 categories and eight synthesized findings: (i) cultural and religious backgrounds and personal reluctance contribute to delays in seeking UI treatment; (ii) the inevitable and regrettable problem of UI endured silently and alone affects women's daily activities and their social roles; (iii) poor knowledge and the vague nature of the symptoms mask the fact that UI is a disease; (iv) the experiences provoked by UI and the sense of shame regarding the condition have contributed to impair women's lives; (v) UI has provoked negative effects on women's intimacy and sexual satisfaction and provoked changes in the ways they experience their sexuality and sexual function; (vi) UI is considered a consequence of pregnancy and childbirth, inherent to aging or a religious punishment; (vii) the women affected by UI adopt several strategies to improve their health status; and (viii) women have personal preferences toward care providers and treatments; they confront difficulties through UI treatment and some care needs are not met.

CONCLUSION

Personal and tailored health care should be provided, and preferences and expectations should be taken into consideration in the provision of health care to the people affected by UI.

Anal Penetrative Intercourse as a Risk Factor for Fecal Incontinence

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between anal penetrative intercourse (API) and pelvic floor symptoms, specifically, anal incontinence (AI).

METHODS

This was an institutional review board-approved, cross-sectional, e-mail survey of women enrolled in the Illinois Women's Health Registry. Participants were anonymously queried about their sexual practices and the effects of these on bowel and bladder symptoms. Urinary symptoms were assessed using the urogenital distress inventory-6 and bowel symptoms with the fecal incontinence severity index (FISI).

RESULTS

One thousand three women (mean age of 46 ± 15 years) completed the survey. Eighty percent were white, 56% were married, and 99% reported ever being sexually active. Thirty-two percent had API at least once, and 12% considered it "part of their sexual practice." Sixty percent of the cohort reported a bothersome urinary symptom on the urogenital distress inventory-6, 70% reported AI on the FISI, and 15% reported fecal incontinence. Of women who engaged in API, 18% reported it changed their stool consistency, and 10% reported it caused AI. Having engaged in API within the last month was correlated with higher FISI scores (P = 0.05) and with fecal incontinence on the FISI (28.3% vs 14.4%; P = 0.01; odds ratio, 2.48). In addition, API was more commonly practiced among women who reported that vaginal intercourse caused dyspareunia (17% vs 12%, P = 0.05) or changes in bladder symptoms such as urgency or dysuria (44% vs 30%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported AI and FI (as measured by the FISI scores) are higher in women who have had API, and frequency of API may be important in determining the risk of bowel symptoms.

Personal goals and expectations of OAB patients in the UK

INTRODUCTION

In clinical practice and in research patient-centred outcomes are often utilised to help improve communication between patients and clinicians and to help manage expectations from treatment. However, many of these goals are generic and do not adequately capture the details of day to day life that bother patients the most and that they hope will improve with therapy. This study aimed to understand what are the goals of patients with overactive bladder symptoms in the UK who were taking part in a clinical trial and to assess goal achievement.

METHODS

This was a qualitative analysis of the patients goals recorded using the Self-Assessment Goal Achievement (SAGA) Questionnaire during the UK study assessing flexible dose fesoterodine in adults (SAFINA) trial. Free text patient goals were completed at baseline and an assessment of achievement was performed at the end of treatment. Grounded theory was used to develop themes and sub themes.

RESULTS

Three hundred and thirty-one patients completed the trial and 1137 open ended goals were set. Six themes emerged from the data including, OAB, other LUTS and finishing the task in hand with multiple subthemes noted.

CONCLUSIONS

By assessing and understanding what is important to the patient, it may help to tailor patient care and treatment and improve patient satisfaction.

Elicitation of Health-related Quality-of-life Concepts Associated with Overactive Bladder: A Qualitative Study

Background: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a symptom-defined disorder. A range of instruments are available for assessing OAB symptom bother, urinary urgency and the effects of symptoms on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but few have been specifically designed and validated for this condition. HRQoL instruments should capture the concepts that are most relevant to patients. To our knowledge, there is no existing published conceptual framework for OAB. Objectives: We performed a qualitative study to explore the impact of symptoms of OAB on affected patients and to develop a conceptual framework for OAB. Methods: Patients diagnosed with OAB living in the United Kingdom were interviewed on the telephone by a trained psychologist using an interview discussion guide. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically by two psychologists. Data collection and analysis was completed when data saturation, i.e. when little or no new information was obtained, was achieved. Results: A total of 30 patients were interviewed. Fifteen patients (50%) had urge incontinence (i.e. OAB-wet). Interview data showed that OAB affected role functioning, sleep quality, social functioning, and emotional/mental functioning. In addition, patients often adopted non-medical coping strategies to manage their symptoms (e.g. planning activities). Factors which affected more than 50% of patients were going for a short walk, waking up at night, travelling/holidays, socializing/going out, embarrassment/shame, need to plan activities, and restriction of places visited. More patients with OAB-wet reported impairment of social and emotional/mental functioning than patients with OAB-dry. A conceptual framework for adults with OAB depicting the relationships between OAB concepts (or outcomes) was developed. Conclusions: OAB has a profound effect on patient HRQoL and negatively affects a broad range of functions, including daily and work activities, leisure and social activities, psychological well-being, and sleep capacity. The conceptual framework emerging from this study supports the utilization of existing disease-specific HRQoL instruments, but identifies that work-related effects, which are relevant for OAB patients, are missing from currently available measures.

Experience of pelvic floor muscle exercises among women in Taiwan: a qualitative study of improvement in urinary incontinence and sexuality

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To gain an in-depth understanding of women's experiences of performing pelvic floor muscle exercises for urinary incontinence and the impact on their sexuality.

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence is not a life-threatening disorder; however, it has been shown to have detrimental effects on quality of life in terms of psychological, social and sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor muscle exercises is the first recommended strategy for managing mild to moderate urinary incontinence as it is noninvasive and cost effective. Pelvic floor muscle exercises reduce incontinence and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which positively affects sexual function in women. Currently, the data are scarce for qualitative literature regarding the subjective experiences of Taiwanese women undergoing pelvic floor muscle exercises and the impact on their urinary incontinence and sexuality.

DESIGN

Qualitative exploratory study.

METHODS

Semi-structured in depth interviews were undertaken with twelve women who had completed a pelvic floor muscle exercises program in Taiwan. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Themes were related to Taiwanese women's initial feelings that urinary incontinence was inevitable and the effects on their sexuality. Three core themes were identified: perceptions of inevitability, developing awareness and gaining control and sexual taboo. Through developing awareness and control of their pelvic floor muscles women expressed improvement in urinary incontinence. Sexual enjoyment, body image, self confidence and sexuality were also enhanced.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic floor muscle exercises had a positive effect on urinary incontinence and sexuality. The findings demonstrated that sex is a taboo topic for many Taiwanese women. With the sensitive management of pelvic floor muscle exercises programs this issue can be addressed.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study raises awareness of healthcare professionals by identifying how Taiwanese women perceive pelvic floor muscles. The positive impact of pelvic floor muscle exercises upon both urinary incontinence and sexuality within the Taiwanese context are addressed. Nurses may also, with greater confidence initiate discussion of women's sexual concerns as part of managing urinary incontinence.

[Psychosomatic primary care for urinary incontinence]

Urinary incontinence is a significant impairment of the quality of life. Many patients are treated insufficiently or even suffer from complications of incontinence surgery. Psychosomatic primary care serves to improve the diagnostic work-up and helps to select the appropriate therapeutic option. It also optimizes the treatment outcome by supplementing the somatically oriented urological therapy with the psychosomatically aligned extended medical dialogue and body-oriented methods. Psychosomatic primary care is based on the biopsychosocial model and uses theoretical knowledge and practical techniques that can be learnt under professional guidance.

Benefit of pelvic floor muscle therapy in improving sexual function in women with stress urinary incontinence: a pretest-posttest intervention study

Very few data are available on the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on sexual function in incontinent women. The authors used the Female Sexual Function Index to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on female sexual function. Participants included women with stress urinary incontinence, without overactive bladder symptoms, who completed a 3-month pelvic floor muscle training. All patients completed the Female Sexual Function Index and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up. Thirty-four patients completed all of the questionnaires; 64.7% patients were referred with stress urinary incontinence without sexual disorders, while 35.3% complained of stress urinary incontinence and sexual symptoms. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score significantly decreased after 3 months of pelvic floor muscle training (p =.01). The Female Sexual Function Index score significantly improved after pelvic floor muscle training even in women with sexual disorders (12.5 ± 9.5 vs. 29.7 ± 3.7; p <.001). This study showed that pelvic floor muscle training may improve female sexual function in women with pure stress urinary incontinence.

The psychological impact of overactive bladder: A systematic review

This review aimed to provide an overview of the current research on the psychological impact of overactive bladder. A systematic search yielded 32 papers. It was found that people with overactive bladder tended to have greater levels of depression, anxiety and embarrassment/shame; difficulties with social life; impact on sleep and sexual relationships; and a lower quality of life than people without overactive bladder. A psychological impact on family members was also found. Psychological health should be considered an important aspect of managing overactive bladder and further research is required to determine how best to provide psychological care and support in this area.

Pelvic floor dysfunction: women's sexual concerns unraveled

INTRODUCTION

Sexual function of women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or urinary incontinence (UI) is adversely affected. However, our current understanding of the exact relationship between female sexual dysfunction and POP and/or UI is incomplete. A qualitative study can improve our understanding by describing what women themselves perceive as the real problem.

AIM

To gain a more in-depth understanding of the impact of POP and/or UI on the different categories of female sexual dysfunction by way of a qualitative study.

METHODS

Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted in 37 women scheduled for pelvic floor surgery, and one was excluded from analysis due to incomplete recordings.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The impact of POP and/or UI on female sexual function.

RESULTS

Only 17% of women were completely positive about their sex life. Both POP and UI had a negative effect on body image. Women with POP had a negative image of their vagina, which caused them to be insecure about their partner's sexual experience, while women with UI were embarrassed about their incontinence and pad use, and feared smelling of urine. Worries about the presence of POP during sexual activity, discomfort from POP, and reduced genital sensations were the most important reasons for decreased desire, arousal, and difficulty reaching an orgasm in women with POP. Fear of incontinence during intercourse affected desire, arousal, and orgasm and could be a cause for dyspareunia in women with UI. Desire was divided into two main elements: "drive" and "motivation." Although "drive," i.e., spontaneous sexual interest, was not commonly affected by POP and/or UI, a decrease in "motivation" or the willingness to engage in sexual activity was the most common sexual dysfunction mentioned.

CONCLUSIONS

Body image plays a key role in the sexual functioning of women with POP and/or UI with the biggest impact on women's "motivation."

Efficacy and adverse events of antimuscarinics for treating overactive bladder: network meta-analyses

CONTEXT

Millions of people worldwide experience overactive bladder (OAB), and antimuscarinics are the pharmacologic treatment of choice. Several conventional meta-analyses have been published, but they fail to quantify efficacy and adverse events across drugs, dosages, formulations, and pharmaceutical forms.

OBJECTIVE

To perform two network meta-analyses summarizing the efficacy and adverse events of antimuscarinics in the treatment of OAB.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Medline and Scopus searches, previous systematic reviews, conference abstracts, book chapters, and the reference lists of relevant articles were searched. Trialists were contacted. Eligible studies were randomized trials that compared at least one antimuscarinic for treating OAB with placebo or with another antimuscarinic, and that reported efficacy and/or adverse event outcomes. Efficacy was assessed for six outcomes (perception of cure or improvement, urgency episodes per 24h, leakage episodes per 24h, urgency incontinence episodes per 24h, micturitions per 24h, and nocturia episodes per 24h). Adverse events were assessed in seven categories according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Across all outcomes, a summary efficacy and an adverse event score were computed. Two authors independently extracted data.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

For the comparison of the efficacy, 76 trials enrolling 38 662 patients were included; for adverse events, 90 trials enrolling 39 919 patients were included. In the subset of studies reporting on treatments and dosages as used in clinical practice, 40 mg/d trospium chloride, 100mg/g per day oxybutynin topical gel, and 4 mg/d fesoterodine had the best efficacy, while higher dosages of orally administered oxybutynin and propiverine had the least favorable relationship of efficacy and adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study allowing trade-offs between efficacy and adverse events of various drugs and dosages in the treatment of patients with OAB. Differences among the various antimuscarinics call for careful, patient-centered management in which regimen changes should be considered.

Sustained improvement in patient-reported outcomes during long-term fesoterodine treatment for overactive bladder symptoms: pooled analysis of two open-label extension studies

OBJECTIVES

• To evaluate the effects of long-term fesoterodine treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and treatment satisfaction in subjects with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. • To determine the impact of gender and age on these effects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• This is a post hoc analysis of data pooled from identically designed open-label extensions of two randomized, double-blind, 12-week fesoterodine studies. • Initial treatment was once-daily fesoterodine 8 mg; subjects had the opportunity to receive open-label fesoterodine for ≥24 months. • After 1 month, subjects could elect dose reduction to 4 mg and subsequent re-escalation to 8 mg; dose reduction and re-escalation were each allowed once annually. • Changes in scores on the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and a Likert scale evaluating severity of bladder-related problems were assessed at open-label baseline and months 12 and 24; treatment satisfaction was assessed at open-label baseline and at months 4, 12 and 24.

RESULTS

• A total of 864 enrolled subjects were included (men, n= 182; women, n= 682; aged <45 years, n= 134; 45-64 years, n= 432; 65-74 years, n= 204; ≥75 years, n= 94); most subjects (77%) who continued treatment maintained the 8-mg dose. • Among subjects in the overall population, there were significant improvements in all KHQ domains, ICIQ-SF scores, and bladder-related problems at open-label baseline vs double-blind baseline (P < 0.05); additional significant improvements were observed at months 12 and 24 vs open-label baseline in all outcomes (P < 0.05) except for the KHQ General Health Perception domain. • When data were stratified by gender or age, significant improvements at open-label baseline vs double-blind baseline were further significantly enhanced or sustained at months 12 and 24 for most KHQ domains, and for ICIQ-SF scores and bladder-related problems for all groups. Women had significantly greater improvements than men in the KHQ Emotion (P= 0.0173) and Severity/Coping (P= 0.0112) domains and ICIQ-SF scores (P= 0.0276) during open-label treatment. Subjects aged <45 years had significantly greater improvement in the Personal Relationships domain compared with those aged 45-64 years (P= 0.0357) and in the Sleep/Energy domain compared with all other groups (all P < 0.02). • Treatment satisfaction was high (≥92%) throughout open-label treatment regardless of gender or age.

CONCLUSIONS

• Long-term fesoterodine treatment was associated with sustained improvement in measures of health-related quality of life and bladder-related problems and with high treatment satisfaction in subjects with overactive bladder symptoms. • Effects of gender and age were minimal.

[Anticholinergic agents for overactive bladder syndrome: current head-to-head comparison]

Overactive-bladder syndrome is characterized by the symptoms pollakisuria, nocturia and urgency with and without urge incontinence. The primary diagnostic procedure includes noninvasive or minimally invasive techniques. Antimuscarinic drugs lead within the therapeutic cascade. Only after unsuccessful use of several antimuscarinics should further treatment options such as electromotive drug administration or infiltration of the detrusor muscle with botulinum toxin A be discussed. The presented review article tries to give an overview by including the existing head-to-head-studies in this field.

Overactive Bladder Syndrome: The Social and Economic Perspective

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a highly prevalent condition associated with a significant impairment of patients’ Quality of Life (QoL) because of its adverse effects on social, sexual, interpersonal, and professional functions. Cost-of-illness analyses showed the huge economic burden related to OAB for patients, public healthcare systems, and society, secondary to both direct and indirect costs. These types of cost analyses, however, exclude intangible costs related to QoL impairment. Recently, many novel therapies have been introduced, arising the need to apply the modern methodology of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to new therapies in order to evaluate objectively their value in terms of both improvement in length/Quality of Life and costs. By producing information on the clinical, economic, organizational, social and ethical impact of health technologies, HTA has been used worldwide to inform decision makers at different levels in health systems. The HTA approach demonstrated, worldwide, to be a useful approach to increase the level of appropriateness in the use of medical technology and, as a consequence of that, of resources. Health utilities are instruments that allow a measurement of QoL and its integration in the economic evaluation using the Quality-of-life-Adjusted-Life-Years (QALYs) model and cost-utility analysis. The development of suitable instruments for quantifying utility in the specific group of OAB patients is vitally important to extend the application of cost-utility analysis in OAB and to guide healthcare resources allocation for this disorder. Studies are required to define the cost-effectiveness of available pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy options.

Female urinary incontinence at orgasm: a possible marker of a more severe form of detrusor overactivity. Can ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness explain it?

INTRODUCTION

Coital incontinence (CI) during orgasm is a form of urinary incontinence possibly because of detrusor overactivity (DO), as the underlying pathophysiological condition. Women with this symptom usually show a pharmacological lower cure rate than those with DO alone. The ultrasound measurement of the bladder wall thickness (BWT) allows an indirect evaluation of detrusor muscle thickness, giving a potential index of detrusor activity.

AIM

We wanted to understand if CI at orgasm could be a marker of severity of DO by comparing BWT in women with both DO and CI at orgasm vs. women with DO alone. In addition we aimed to confirm if CI during orgasm is related to antimuscarinics treatment failure.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study performed in two tertiary urogynecological referral departments, recruiting consecutive patients seeking treatment for symptomatic DO.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All patients were thoroughly assessed including physical examination, urodynamic evaluation, and BWT measurement according to the International Continence Society/International Urogynecological Association and ICI recommendations. Solifenacine 5 mg once daily was then prescribed and follow-up was scheduled to evaluate treatment. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) was performed to identify risk factors for treatment failure.

RESULTS

Between September 2007 and March 2010, 31 (22.6%) and 106 (77.4%) women with DO with and without CI at orgasm were enrolled. Women complaining of CI at orgasm had significantly higher BWT than the control group (5.8 ± 0.6 mm vs. 5.2 ± 1.2 mm [P=0.007]). In patients with CI at orgasm, the nonresponder rate to antimuscarinics was significantly higher than controls (P=0.01). After MLR, CI at orgasm was the only independent predictor decreasing antimuscarinics efficacy (odds ratio [OR] 3.16 [95% CI 1.22-8.18], P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with DO and CI at orgasm showed a significantly higher BWT values and worse cure rates than women with DO alone. CI at orgasm could be a marker of a more severe form of DO.

Impact of female urinary incontinence and urgency on women's and their partners' sexual life

AIMS

To assess the impact of female urinary incontinence (UI) and urgency on women's and their partners' sexual life in sexually active couples and to elucidate the concordance of answers within couples.

METHODS

Women aged 18-74 years with UI and/or urgency (n = 206) were consecutively recruited from four outpatient clinics. Those with a partner (n = 170) completed a questionnaire regarding relationship and sexual life and gave a similar questionnaire to him. The present paper focuses on 99 couples with an active sexual life.

RESULTS

Twenty-two percent of the men and 43% of the women stated that the female urinary symptoms impaired their sexual life. Forty-nine percent of the women expressed worries about having urinary leakage during sexual activity, but most of their men, 94%, did not. Twenty-three percent of the men and 39% of the women responded that the woman leaked urine during sexual activity. The majority, 84%, of women considered this a problem, but 65% of their partners did not. Except for this disparity, the rest of the answers were significant concordant within the couples.

CONCLUSIONS

Female UI and urgency negatively affected sexual life in almost half of the women and in every fifth partner. A need for information and advice concerning sexual issues due to the woman's urinary disorder was found in one fifth of the couples. The majority of women with urinary leakage during sexual activities considered this as a problem, but most of their partners did not. Overall, the concordance of the answers within the couples was high.

Adverse event assessment of antimuscarinics for treating overactive bladder: a network meta-analytic approach

Background

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects the lives of millions of people worldwide and antimuscarinics are the pharmacological treatment of choice. Meta-analyses of all currently used antimuscarinics for treating OAB found similar efficacy, making the choice dependent on their adverse event profiles. However, conventional meta-analyses often fail to quantify and compare adverse events across different drugs, dosages, formulations, and routes of administration. In addition, the assessment of the broad variety of adverse events is dissatisfying. Our aim was to compare adverse events of antimuscarinics using a network meta-analytic approach that overcomes shortcomings of conventional analyses.

Methods

Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialized Trials Register, previous systematic reviews, conference abstracts, book chapters, and reference lists of relevant articles were searched. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials comparing at least one antimuscarinic for treating OAB with placebo or with another antimuscarinic, and adverse events as outcome measures. Two authors independently extracted data. A network meta-analytic approach was applied allowing for joint assessment of all adverse events of all currently used antimuscarinics while fully maintaining randomization.

Results

69 trials enrolling 26′229 patients were included. Similar overall adverse event profiles were found for darifenacin, fesoterodine, transdermal oxybutynin, propiverine, solifenacin, tolterodine, and trospium chloride but not for oxybutynin orally administered when currently used starting dosages were compared.

Conclusions

The proposed generally applicable transparent network meta-analytic approach summarizes adverse events in an easy to grasp way allowing straightforward benchmarking of antimuscarinics for treating OAB in clinical practice. Most currently used antimuscarinics seem to be equivalent first choice drugs to start the treatment of OAB except for oral oxybutynin dosages of ≥10 mg/d which may have more unfavorable adverse event profiles.

How do continence nurses address sexual function and a history of sexual abuse in daily practice? Results of a pilot study

INTRODUCTION

There is a strong association between urological complaints, sexual dysfunction, and history of sexual abuse (SA), and it is unknown whether urological continence nurses integrate this knowledge in their daily practice.

AIM

To evaluate how, in their daily practice, Dutch urological continence nurses address sexual dysfunction and possible SA.

METHODS

An anonymous 19-item questionnaire was distributed among all Dutch urinary continence nurses visiting their yearly congress.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The survey results.

RESULTS

The response rate was 48.9% (93/190). Of the respondents, 11.8% did not ask their female patients about sexual function; 37.6% asked only rarely; 44.1% asked often; and 6.5% always asked. Sexual functioning in males was not evaluated by the majority of the nurses (13.2% never, and 46.2% rarely). A minority of continence nurses asked males about sexual functioning (36.3% often and 4.3% always). Important reasons for not asking were insufficient knowledge of how to adequately ask males (38.9%) and females (47.8%) about sexual problems, and because nurses assumed the urologist had addressed this issue (48.1% asking males, 39.1% asking females). Younger nurses found it particularly difficult to raise sexual issues with both male and female patients (P=0.001 and P=0.003, respectively). Screening for sexual dysfunction was stated to be important by almost all nurses (65.2% "quite important," and 31.5% "very important"). Within their patient population, both male and female, 28% of the nurses never asked about SA and 49.5% asked only rarely.

CONCLUSION

Dutch urological incontinence nurses acknowledge the importance of sexual problems in their patient population, but asking about this issue was not part of routine care. The main reasons for not asking, according to the nurses' responses, were that they had insufficient knowledge and that they assumed the urologist had already asked about sexual problems.

"We have to stop again?!": The impact of overactive bladder on family members

AIMS

Overactive bladder (OAB), characterized by urinary urgency, with or without incontinence, and urinary frequency and nocturia, has a significant impact on patients' lives. Given the social context inherent in OAB, the purpose of this study was to identify issues faced by OAB family members.

METHODS

Incontinent OAB patients and their family members were recruited from a urology clinic. Continent OAB family members were recruited via newspaper advertisements. Focus groups were conducted to evaluate family impact; content analysis was used to analyze data.

RESULTS

Participants included 14 dyads consisting of incontinent OAB patients and their family members (partners or daughters) and 17 continent OAB family members. Urinary frequency was the most bothersome symptom for family members as family members reported that their partners' urinary frequency significantly altered their lives by limiting activities (e.g., travel, social activities) and impacting time because of persistent, and urgent, need to find a toilet. Nocturia caused sleep disruption and fatigue for both patients and their partners. Family members indicated that their partner's OAB fostered significant emotions including embarrassment, anxiety, anger, worry, frustration, and sympathy. Several spouses reported that OAB limited their sexual interactions and intimacy.

CONCLUSIONS

OAB has a significant impact on OAB patients' family members, regardless of whether the patient and family member live together. Consequently, it is important to assess the family impact of symptomatic conditions such as OAB to fully understand the outcomes of disease and treatment.

Social, economic, and health utility considerations in the treatment of overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent urinary syndrome with a profound impact on quality of life (QoL) of affected patients and their family because of its adverse effects on social, sexual, interpersonal, and professional function. Cost-of-illness analyses showed the huge economic burden related to OAB for patients, public healthcare systems, and society, secondary to both direct and indirect costs; however, intangible costs related to QoL impact are usually omitted from these analyses. Recently many novel treatment modalities have been introduced and the need to apply the modern methodology of health technology assessment to these treatment strategies was immediately clear in order to evaluate objectively their value in term of both improvement in length/quality of life and costs. Health utilities are instruments that allow a measurement of QoL and its integration in the economic evaluation using the quality-adjusted life-years model and cost-utility analysis. The development of suitable instruments for quantifying utility in the specific group of OAB patients is vitally important to extend the application of cost-utility analysis in OAB and to guide healthcare resources allocation for this disorder. Studies are required to define the cost-effectiveness of available pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapy options for this disorder.

Social, economic, and health utility considerations in the treatment of overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent urinary syndrome with a profound impact on quality of life (QoL) of affected patients and their family because of its adverse effects on social, sexual, interpersonal, and professional function. Cost-of-illness analyses showed the huge economic burden related to OAB for patients, public healthcare systems, and society, secondary to both direct and indirect costs; however, intangible costs related to QoL impact are usually omitted from these analyses. Recently many novel treatment modalities have been introduced and the need to apply the modern methodology of health technology assessment to these treatment strategies was immediately clear in order to evaluate objectively their value in term of both improvement in length/quality of life and costs. Health utilities are instruments that allow a measurement of QoL and its integration in the economic evaluation using the quality-adjusted life-years model and cost-utility analysis. The development of suitable instruments for quantifying utility in the specific group of OAB patients is vitally important to extend the application of cost-utility analysis in OAB and to guide healthcare resources allocation for this disorder. Studies are required to define the cost-effectiveness of available pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapy options for this disorder.

Treatment success for overactive bladder with urinary urge incontinence refractory to oral antimuscarinics: a review of published evidence

Background

Treatment options for overactive bladder (OAB) with urinary urge incontinence (UUI) refractory to oral antimuscarinics include: botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA), sacral neuromodulation (SNM), and augmentation cystoplasty (AC). A standard treatment success metric that can be used in both clinical and economic evaluations of the above interventions has not emerged. Our objective was to conduct a literature review and synthesis of published measures of treatment success for OAB with UUI interventions and to identify a treatment success outcome.

Methods

We performed a literature review of primary studies that used a definition of treatment success in the OAB with UUI population receiving BoNTA, SNM, or AC. The recommended success outcome was compared to generic and disease-specific health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) measures using data from a BoNTA treatment study of neurogenic incontinent patients.

Results

Across all interventions, success outcomes included: complete continence (n = 23, 44%), ≥ 50% improvement in incontinence episodes (n = 16, 31%), and subjective improvement (n = 13, 25%). We recommend the OAB with UUI treatment success outcome of ≥ 50% improvement in incontinence episodes from baseline. Using data from a neurogenic BoNTA treatment study, the average change in the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire was 8.8 (95% CI: -4.7, 22.3) higher for those that succeeded (N = 25) versus those that failed (N = 26). The average change in the SF-6D preference score was 0.07 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.12) higher for those that succeeded versus those that failed.

Conclusion

A treatment success definition that encompasses the many components of underlying OAB with UUI symptoms is currently not practical as a consequence of difficulties in measuring urgency. The treatment success outcome of ≥ 50% improvement in incontinence episodes was associated with a clinically meaningful improvement in disease-specific HRQoL for those with neurogenic OAB with UUI. The recommended success definition is less restrictive than a measure such as complete continence but includes patients who are satisfied with treatment and experience meaningful improvement in symptoms. A standardized measure of treatment success will be useful in clinical and health economic applications.