Clinical and pathophysiological correlates of the symptom severity of stress urinary incontinence.
OBJECTIVE
The pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is multifactorial. The aim of this study was to explore the factor determining the symptom severity of SUI.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-four women with SUI were retrospectively investigated. Clinical data for analyses included demographics, pelvic organ prolapse quantification, SUI severity using a 4-point Likert scale, ultrasound, 1-h pad tests, and urodynamic studies. Data were analyzed using the Spearman's rho test and Kruskal-Wallis test.


RESULTS
The symptom severity was not correlated with risk factors of SUI or the morphologic manifestations representing urethral support defect, but was significantly correlated with urine loss on 1-h pad test, Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) grading, and maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP). Women with higher SUI severity had greater urine loss on 1-h pad tests, worse VLPP grading, and lower MUCP.


CONCLUSIONS
Urethral sphincter function appears to be an important determinant for the symptom severity of SUI.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Jenn-Ming
JM
Yang
Shwu-Huey
SH
Yang
Shu-Yu
SY
Yang
Evelyn
E
Yang
Wen-Chen
WC
Huang
Chii-Ruey
CR
Tzeng
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*