Current Approaches for the Diagnosis and Conservative Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence - A Guideline of Guidelines

Abstract

Urologists utilize evidence-based guidelines organized by urological organizations in the management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The objective of this study is to provide guidance in the clinical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) by reviewing key guidelines. We conducted a medical literature analysis in the following databases: PubMed, Medline, Embase, National Guideline Clearinghouse, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and Cochrane Library. We also manually searched the websites of the following international and national societies to identify relevant guidelines for inclusion in this review: the International Consultation on Incontinence, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Urogynecologic Society, American Urological Association/Society of Urodynamic, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, European Association of Urology, and Canadian Urological Association. The recommendations in the guidelines are summarized in different areas, including the diagnostic standards of SUI, examination and evaluation methods, and conservative treatment methods. This ‘guideline of guidelines’ presents the similarities and differences between prominent authorities in the management of SUI.