A Norwegian national cohort of 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence--effectiveness and treatment results.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of home-managed electrical stimulation.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted on all 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway during 1992-1994. Data were collected from both patients and physicians by questionnaires before and after treatment.


RESULTS
29% of the women were cured or much improved according to their own assessment; altogether 61% were improved. According to the physicians' assessment, 33% were cured or much improved; a total of 55% was improved. Thirty-seven per cent of compliers and 12% of non-compliers regarded themselves as cured or much improved. The number of incontinence episodes, amount of leakage and use of pads decreased significantly; and 44% had less severe incontinence than before treatment according to a validated severity index.


CONCLUSIONS
Women treated with electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence experienced a significant reduction in incontinence problems, both subjectively and semi-objectively. The treatment results seem to be strongly dependent on good acceptance of the treatment.
Indrekvam
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Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway. Solfrid.Indrekvam@isf.uib.no
Sandvik
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Hunskaar
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D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*