Preference, compliance and initial outcome of therapeutic options chosen by female patients with urinary incontinence.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the patient preference for, compliance with and initial outcome of either behavioral modification, pharmacotherapy or surgery for urinary incontinence.


METHODS
A total of 150 incontinent women underwent basic evaluation based on Agency for Health Care Policy and Research urinary incontinence guidelines. Options were presented and the chosen modality was evaluated at 4 to 6-week intervals.


RESULTS
Of the patients 61% chose behavioral modification, 25% chose pharmacotherapy and 14% chose surgery. The dropout rate was 33% (50 of 150 women), including mostly those on behavioral modification. Of the remaining patients 74% on pharmacotherapy and 73% on behavioral modification reported marked improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
When given options, patients chose nonoperative measures first. Compliance was poor among patients who chose behavioral modification.
Diokno
A
A
Department of Urology, William Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak, Michigan.
Yuhico
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*