Concordance between one-hour pad test and subjective assessment of stress incontinence.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the concordance among the 1-hour pad test results, subjective questions regarding incontinence, and a quality-of-life questionnaire to assess the role of the pad test as a noninvasive measurement tool in clinical trials. The 1-hour nonstandard pad test is one of several quantitative tools used to measure urinary incontinence; however, its utility has been questioned.


METHODS
The study subjects were women participating in 2 clinical trials evaluating noninvasive interventions: circular muscle exercises versus pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence. The quantity of urinary leakage according to the pad test and questions regarding subjective urinary leakage from the quality-of-life questionnaire were evaluated for all study subjects combined and in subgroups.


RESULTS
A total of 731 clinical pad tests were evaluated from the 2 trials. Significant associations were found between several questions regarding subjective leakage and the pad test results in the study subgroups. A significant correlation was seen between the pad test results and the quality-of-life questionnaire scores (r = 0.14 before intervention and r = 0.42 after intervention in the combined studies; P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The 1-hour pad test demonstrated concordance with subjective assessment tools for urinary incontinence and should be considered a part of the armamentarium for assessing the severity of this condition.
Liebergall-Wischnitzer
M
M
Henrietta Szold Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel. michall2@hadassah.org.il
Paltiel
O
O
Hochner-Celnikier
D
D
Lavy
Y
Y
Shveiky
D
D
Manor
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016496:Incontinence Pads; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D014554:Urination; D055815:Young Adult