title: Patient satisfaction with a reusable undergarment for urinary incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated patient satisfaction with a reusable undergarment for urinary incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred seventy-five participants with reported urinary incontinence from two urology-based clinics at large teaching hospitals and one prostate cancer support group participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each participant was given a minimum of one reusable undergarment for urinary incontinence. Participants used the undergarment for an average of 10 days (range 1 to 60 days). During the trial period, subjects alternated the reusable undergarment with their previous urine-containment devices, usually disposable pads, while the undergarment was being washed. Patient satisfaction was evaluated with a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient satisfaction with the reusable undergarment was measured for six categories: (1) physical comfort, (2) ability to keep skin dry, (3) ability to prevent wet spots, (4) discretion, (5) odor control, and (6) confidence when wearing the garment versus previously used containment devices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 175 subjects, 126 (33% female and 67% male) completed and returned the 7-page questionnaire. All respondents reported at least one urinary incontinent episode while wearing the reusable undergarment. Occurrence and degree of leakage by self-report varied from light leakage (33%) to moderate leakage (48%) and heavy leakage (17%). Patient satisfaction was measured as follows: (1) 83% rated the overall comfort of the undergarment as very good or excellent; (2) 52% said they felt very dry or dry when wearing the product after an incontinent episodes; (3) 75% rated the ability to prevent wet spots on outer clothing as adequate or excellent; (4) 75% rated the discretion of this product as excellent; (5) 80% rated the ability to control odor as adequate or excellent; and (6) 67% felt more confidence with this reusable undergarment than with other products with which they were familiar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reusable garment provided effective containment from urine loss among this group of incontinent women and men.
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Urodynamics and Continence Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Staskin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016496:Incontinence Pads / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology