Mixed incontinence: definitions, outcomes, and interventions.
OBJECTIVE
Mixed incontinence remains a problematic issue in clinical practice. Interventions designed to benefit one of the contributory symptoms often do no benefit the other constituent symptom. Recent evolution in the taxonomy of mixed incontinence as well as the increased reporting of standardized results has produced a better understanding of the response of this entity to clinical interventions.


RESULTS
Three main areas of development have occurred in the analysis of mixed incontinence. The advancements in definitional and taxonomic changes have clarified the concept and presentation of mixed incontinence. In light of these changes, results reported from pharmacologic or surgical interventions have improved. Several new studies have demonstrated the efficacy of these interventions in selected groups of patients using either pharmacologic or operative modalities.


CONCLUSIONS
In well selected and symptomatically characterized patients, therapy directed at mixed incontinence can provide efficacious results. The implications of these positive outcomes suggest that therapy founded on appropriate symptomatic appraisal can produce generally salubrious outcomes. These outcomes must, however, be assessed with tools that allow adequate differentiation of symptomatic changes including methods that delineate not only cure but also symptom improvement.
Dmochowski
Roger
R
Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. roger.dmochowski@vanderbilt.edu
Staskin
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003558:Cystoscopy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014563:Urodynamics; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods
D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists