title: Suburethral sling in autoimmune patients: complications, quality of life, and success rate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Suburethral sling procedures are a mainstay for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The interaction between the sling and the host is fundamental for the success of the procedure. Patients affected by autoimmune disease present with an overactive immune system; this should theoretically increase rejection risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data from 19 autoimmune patients affected by SUI were retrospectively collected. Primary outcome consisted of evaluating whether tape-related complications may occur more frequently. Secondary outcome measures were assessment of objective and subjective cure of SUI. Changes from baseline were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney and Fisher tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Success rate, evaluated at 12-month follow-up, was 89.5%. No tape erosion or urinary retention was observed; chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia rates were 5.26% and 15.4%, respectively. One patient developed de novo urgency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our experience, the suburethral sling is a safe procedure with low complication rates comparable to those reported in the literature.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Angioli
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Montera
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Plotti
authors: Corrado
authors: C
authors: Terranova
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Aloisi
authors: Marzio Angelo
authors: MA
authors: Zullo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*