Incidence of stress urinary incontinence following vaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse in objectively continent women

Abstract

To estimate the incidence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following vaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in preoperatively continent women and to evaluate the impact of the problem. Women were eligible if they had undergone vaginal repairs for any degree or type of POP with no anti-incontinence procedure between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2006, and had been continent preoperatively, as defined by a negative cough stress test with or without reduction of prolapse. Demographic, preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were retrieved from hospital charts. The incidence of postoperative SUI (POSUI) and its quality of life (QoL) impact were assessed by mailed questionnaire. The POSUI endpoint was defined by the report of SUI symptoms on the mailed questionnaire and/or affirmation of postoperative treatment for SUI. Forty-two out of 100 respondents reported POSUI within the 2-year average follow-up period. Twelve of 37 symptomatic women (32%) were moderately or greatly bothered by their symptoms. The QoL impact score was generally low but was statistically greater in women with POSUI compared to those with no POSUI (13 vs. 3, P=0.0006). The risk of POSUI following vaginal repairs of POP may be higher than previously reported and approximately one-third of women are bothered by these symptoms. These findings deserve further investigation.