Stress Urinary Incontinence Research Articles

An update on surgical management for stress urinary incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition for which women often opt for surgical management. Synthetic midurethral slings (MUS) have been the dominant treatment for decades. Single-incision slings (SIS) have been introduced to lower the morbidity associated with trocar passage during MUS placement. Urethral bulking has been used less frequently owing to its lower cure rates. New data have recently emerged in support of single-incision slings (SIS) and urethral bulking with Bulkamid polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG). Several studies with a follow-up ≥10 years have shown stable efficacy and complication rates of retropubic (RMUS) and transobturator (TMUS) midurethral slings over time. SIS products show equivalent efficacy to traditional TMUS and RMUS at up to 3 years of follow-up and can be placed under local anesthesia. While urethral bulking with PAHG results in lower cure rates compared to slings, satisfaction rates are high and responders have sustained improvement at 7 years follow-up. All three types of available slings, TMUS, RMUS, and SIS, are now considered appropriate surgical options for the treatment of SUI. Although the absence of comparative data precludes a formal recommendation for one injectable over another, urethral bulking with PAHG has favorable long-term results and an excellent safety profile.

Comparative analysis of the efficacy and complications of mid-urethral slings when inserted either in isolation or in conjunction with pelvic organ prolapse surgery

IntroductionStress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a highly prevalent condition that affects between 20 and 50% of the female population. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can coexist with SUI and both can be addressed through a vaginal approach. However, it is unclear whether simultaneous surgery for these two conditions can influence the outcome of incontinence treatment.ObjectiveTo evaluate the objective and subjective effectiveness of the transobturator suburethral (TO) band by comparing two groups: group A, of patients undergoing surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) by insertion of TO mesh, and group B, formed for patients requiring simultaneous correction of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in addition to TO mesh insertion.Materials and methodsThis is an observational, descriptive and retrospective study in which 91 patients participated: 33 (group A) underwent surgery for SUI and 58 (group B) underwent corrective surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and TO band simultaneously.Variables included: total urinary continence, objective urinary continence, subjective urinary continence (satisfaction levels and two validated questionnaires (PGI-1 and ICIQ-SF)) and complications.ResultsRegarding total continence, from the seventh to the ninth year, statistically significant differences were observed, with total continence being higher in group A. Objective continence decreased in both groups during the follow-up period.No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding subjective urinary continence (ICIQ-SF) and the degree of improvement after surgical treatment (PGI-1). The level of satisfaction after surgery was high in both groups. Regarding complications, there were no statistically significant differences.ConclusionsIsolated surgery for SUI could be considered more effective in achieving total and objective continence. However, the insertion of the TO band in both cases improves subjective urinary continence and quality of life with great safety and without differences regarding complications.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of electromagnetic field technology in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant health condition that affects many people, especially women, negatively impacting their quality of life in physical, social, economic, sexual and psychological terms. Defined by the International Urinary Incontinence Society (ICS) as any involuntary loss of urine, UI can be classified into three types: stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which occurs with increased abdominal pressure; urge urinary incontinence (UUI), associated with the urgent sensation of urinating; and mixed urinary in-continence (MUI), a combination of SUI and UUI. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify the improvement in urinary incontinence after 8 sessions of treatment with electromagnetic field technology. This is a retrospective, descriptive and quantitative study, based on the information contained in the medical records and questionnaires of the patients evaluated in the Research and Development Sector of Contourline Equipamentos Médicos e Diagnósticos Ltda, based in the city of Sete Lagoas-MG, between July and October 2023. 12 female patients were treated, with an average age of 34.4. The results showed that Electromagnetic Field technology is capable of safely and effectively treating patients with UI. The treatment was effective, with the majority of participants (90%) experiencing a significant reduction in the frequency or even elimination of urine leakage episodes.

Prevalence and risk factors for overactive bladder symptoms in patients with artificial urinary sphincter

To demonstrate the prevalence and risk factors for overactive bladder symptoms associated with artificial urinary sphincter implantation, we investigated the patients who underwent primary artificial urinary sphincter implantation with severe urinary stress incontinence. Forty-eight patients who completely answered the questionnaires of the overactive bladder symptom score before surgery were included. Patient characteristics, urinary status at pre and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-device activation, and predictive factors for overactive bladder symptoms were examined. Sixty percent of the patients had preoperative overactive bladder symptoms. Until 12 months after device activation, 35–40% of all patients had overactive bladder symptoms. The rate of persistent and de novo postoperative overactive bladder symptoms was 44.8% and 26.3%, respectively. Daily pad use was not different between patients w/wo overactive bladder symptoms. The only risk factor for postoperative overactive bladder symptoms was a max cystometoric capacity < 200 mL measured by a preoperative urodynamic study. Attention must be given to both persistent and de novo overactive bladder symptoms associated with artificial urinary sphincter implantation for patients with stress incontinence. Counsel should equally be provided for preoperative overactive bladder symptoms, especially in cases with a cystometric capacity < 200 mL.

Predictors and Outcome of Surgical Repair of Obstetric Fistula at a Private Hospital of Dhaka City

Background: Obstetric fistula remains a significant public health issue in low-resource settings, with high prevalence in countries like Bangladesh. The condition often results from prolonged, obstructed labor, compounded by socio-cultural factors such as early marriage, financial constraints, and lack of access to skilled birth attendants. This study aimed to explore the socio-demographic characteristics and surgical outcomes of women undergoing fistula repair at a private hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: This observational descriptive study included 62 women who underwent obstetric fistula repair between September 2010 and September 2012. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, fistula details, and surgical outcomes through a structured booklet completed at various stages of patient care. Surgical success, complications, and post-operative outcomes were analyzed to identify factors influencing recovery and success rates. Result: The study found that 100% of participants were married at an early age, with significant financial barriers reported by all. A majority (87.10%) had home deliveries attended by unskilled birth attendants. Surgical repair was successful in 88.71% of cases, with a small proportion (11.29%) of unsuccessful repairs. Residual stress incontinence was noted in 4.84% of participants. The mean hospital stay was 17.52 days, with 95.16% of participants requiring continuous catheterization for 7 to 10 days. Conclusion: The high success rate of surgical repairs is promising, but the persistence of socio-cultural barriers and residual complications highlights the need for improved access to maternal healthcare and enhanced post-operative care. Addressing these issues is critical for reducing the burden of obstetric fistula and improving outcomes for affected women.

Predictive factors of stress urinary incontinence after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: a magnetic resonance imaging-based retrospective study.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) remains a prevalent complication after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP). This retrospective analysis aims to delineate perioperative and anatomical determinants of SUI as observed on preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in patients subjected to HoLEP. We reviewed 216 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cases managed via HoLEP by a singular urologist at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from January 2021 to September 2022. Comprehensive medical documentation, including age, body mass index (BMI), prostate volume (PV), total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), and perioperative variables: operative time (OT), enucleated prostate volume (EPV), were assessed. Detailed analyses of preoperative prostate mpMRI scans were conducted to measure factors such as thickness of the posterior wall of the membranous urethral sphincter (TPWMUS), membranous urethral length (MUL), membranous urethral volume (MUV), and prostatic apex morphology. The cohort encompassed 216 participants, among whom 45 (20.83%) experienced SUI subsequent to one month of HoLEP therapy. At three months, 23 individuals exhibited recovery, reducing the prevalence of SUI to 10.19%. By the six-month milestone, the incidence further declined to 1.38%, with 19 patients reporting normalization of continence. Binary logistic regression analysis identified OT, TPWMUS, and prostatic apex and membranous urethral overlap (PAOMU) emerged as independent risk factors for SUI, while MUV was identified as a protective factor. The risk of SUI post-HoLEP is significantly associated with OT, TPWMUS, and PAOMU, while MUV imparting a protective effect.

The Effectiveness of Adding Transvaginal Radiofrequency to Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for 6 Weeks in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence. A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Trial.

The objective was to evaluate the clinically beneficial effect of adding transvaginal monopolar non-ablative radiofrequency (RF) to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on leakage severity, quality of life and urinary incontinence-related symptoms in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A double-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted, with a 6-week intervention and a 6-month follow-up. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (PFMT plus RF; n = 18) or the control group (PFMT plus placebo; n = 20). The primary outcome was the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Secondary outcomes included the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7), self-efficacy, female sexual function, pelvic floor muscle dynamometry, 1-h pad test and number of SUI episodes per week. Inferential analyses of the data were performed using a two-factor analysis of variance. Both groups achieved a statistically significant improvement in ICIQ-SF over time. However, the differences observed in the experimental group exceeded the minimal clinically important differences by 4 points (MD = -9.4, 95% CI = -12.6 to -6.3), which was not observed in the control group (MD = -3.9, 95% CI = -6.9 to -1.0). This was maintained at the 6-month follow-up with a significant time*group interaction (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.150). There was no time*group interaction in the other variables (p > 0.05). Additionally, a significant difference in favour of the experimental group was observed in the 1-h pad test and episodes of SUI per week (p < 0.05). This study highlights the beneficial effects of adding transvaginal RF to PFMT on the severity and amount of leakage, as well as on the quality of life and urinary incontinence-related symptoms in women with moderate SUI. Future trials are needed to assess the effects of this intervention in women with severe SUI.

Prediction models for postpartum stress urinary incontinence: A systematic review

BackgroundPostpartum stress urinary incontinence significantly impacts the quality of life and the physical and mental health of women. A reliable predictive model for postpartum stress urinary incontinence can serve as a preventive tool. Currently, there have been numerous studies developing predictive models to assess the risk of postpartum stress urinary incontinence, but the quality and clinical applicability of these models remain unknown. ObjectiveTo systematically review and evaluate existing models for predicting stressful postpartum risks. MethodsPubMed, EBSCO, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, SinoMed, and VIP Data databases were systematically searched from the time of database construction to October 2023. Two researchers used Critical appraisal and data extraction for systematic reviews of prediction modeling studies: the CHARMS checklist for data extraction. Three researchers used The Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) checklist for bias and applicability assessment. ResultsEight papers including ten postpartum stress urinary incontinence prediction models were finalized. The most common predictors in the prediction models were urinary incontinence (UI) during pregnancy, followed by mode of delivery, Maternal age, parity, and UI before pregnancy. Nine of the prediction models reported discrimination with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) or C-index between 0.680 and 0.850. All included studies were at high risk of bias, mainly due to mishandling of continuous predictors, unreported or mishandled missing data, and inadequate assessment of predictive model performance. ConclusionsPostpartum stress urinary incontinence risk prediction models are in the initial development stage, and existing prediction models have a high risk of bias and poor modeling methodological quality, which may hinder their clinical application. In the future, healthcare practitioners should follow the norms of predictive model development and reporting to develop risk prediction models with superior predictive performance, low risk of bias, and easy clinical application.

Correlation Between Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and the Risk of Urinary Incontinence in Adult Women.

This study examined the relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and urinary incontinence in adult women and evaluated the potential contribution of the fatty liver index (FLI) in this context. The study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, spanning from 2001 to 2018. The study included 17,221 adult female participants. Individuals exhibiting FLI values of 60 or greater were diagnosed with hepatic steatosis. Incontinence type and MASLD status were evaluated by analyzing questionnaire data and calculating the FLI. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the correlation between FLI, MASLD, and urinary incontinence, with potential confounding variables controlled through multivariate adjustment models. Furthermore, restricted cubic spline curve (RCS) modeling and subgroup analysis were employed to elucidate the relationship between variables further. The median age of participants in the MASLD group was higher than that of the non-MASLD group (53 vs 46 years, P < 0.001). The findings indicated a positive association between FLI and MASLD and the risk of urinary incontinence. Specifically, the risk of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) all increased significantly with increasing quartiles of FLI (OR 2.44, 1.91, 2.30, respectively, P < 0.001). In the multivariate-adjusted model, SUI, UUI, and MUI risk was 76%, 50%, and 69% higher in patients with MASLD than those without MASLD. RCS analysis demonstrated a significant nonlinear positive correlation between FLI and the risk of SUI, UUI, and MUI, respectively. This study's findings indicate a significant association between MASLD and the risk of developing urinary incontinence. Additionally, the results suggest that FLI and MASLD may act as independent risk factors for urinary incontinence.

Management of Complications of Prosthetic Mid-urethral Tape Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women

OBJECTIVESto propose guidelines for the management of complications of prosthetic mid-urethral tape surgery for stress urinary incontinence in women. METHODSThese guidelines are based on an exhaustive literature review on retropubic and trans-obturator mid-urethral tape complications. The expert panel rated the level of evidence of each study, summarized literature for the treatment of each complication, and proposed guidelines. RESULTSManagement of these complications is complex and the first treatment is crucial to offer the best functional result to the patient. We propose a standardized approach and guidelines for the management of complications to help physicians to early identify a surgical complication, offer adequate treatment for each complication and provide clear and appropriate information to patients. We detailed management of intraoperative complications: bladder, urethral, vaginal, visceral and vascular injury; short term post-operative complications: bleeding/hematoma, voiding dysfunction, pain, infection; and long-term post-operative complications: chronic voiding dysfunction, de novo overactive bladder syndrome, chronic pain, dyspareunia, vaginal, bladder and urethral tape erosion. CONCLUSIONThese guidelines may help physicians to improve management of prosthetic mid-urethral sling complications that may occur following stress urinary incontinence surgery.

Topical lidocaine for pessary removal and reinsertion pain reduction: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundVaginal pessaries are an inexpensive non-surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Pessary maintenance includes periodic removal, cleaning, and reinsertion, which can be painful. Lidocaine-prilocaine cream has been shown to significantly reduce pain during pessary maintenance exams. In some practices, Lidocaine HCl 2% jelly may be more readily available and serve as an alternative to lidocaine-prilocaine cream. However, the effect of Lidocaine HCl 2% jelly use during pessary maintenance exams has not been tested. ObjectiveTo estimate the effect of Lidocaine HCl 2% jelly versus lubricating jelly on pain at the time of office pessary removal and reinsertion. Study DesignThis study is a single-blind, randomized clinical trial among patients presenting to a urogynecology office at a tertiary care center. Participants were randomized to the application of 5cc of Lidocaine HCl 2% jelly or a water-based lubricating jelly five minutes before pessary removal. Visual analog scale pain scores were collected from the participants at baseline, at pessary removal, and at pessary reinsertion. The primary outcome was the visual analog scale pain score at the time of pessary removal. A sample size of 33 per group (n=66) was planned to estimate an absolute mean difference in visual analog pain scale of 2.05 cm at the time of pessary removal. ResultsBetween September 2022 and June 2023, 192 women were screened, and 66 were enrolled. Thirty-three participants were randomized into the lubricating jelly group and 33 participants were randomized into the Lidocaine HCl 2% jelly group. The two groups were similar in baseline characteristics. Most participants were postmenopausal, using vaginal estrogen, wearing a 70 mm ring pessary with support for pelvic organ prolapse, and reported being very satisfied with the pessary. Other pessaries worn included ring without support, incontinence rings with and without support, Gellhorn, and donut. The pessary sizes ranged from 51 mm to 96 mm. There was no significant difference in pessary type and size between groups. Visual analog scale pain scores at pessary removal were low in both groups: 3.23±3.00 cm in the lubricating group and 2.66±2.77 cm in the lidocaine group. After adjusting for baseline pain, there was no significant difference in pain at pessary removal between the lidocaine jelly and the lubricating jelly groups (mean difference=-0.56 cm, 95% CI: -1.97 to 0.85; p=0.44). Despite no significant difference in visual analog scale pain scores, 71.2% of participants reported a desire for numbing jelly at future pessary examinations. ConclusionPain during pessary removal and reinsertion is low. Compared to lubricating jelly, lidocaine jelly did not further reduce pain during pessary examinations.

Effectiveness of Intervention Guideline on Self Care of Women Suffering From Stress Urinary Incontinence

Effectiveness of Intervention Guideline on Self Care of Women Suffering From Stress Urinary Incontinence

Evolution of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) outcomes assessment: a narrative review

Evolution of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) outcomes assessment: a narrative review

Postoperative urinary incontinence following BPH surgery: insights from a comprehensive national database analysis.

Postoperative urinary incontinence (UI) is a feared complication of BPH surgery. Our study aims to investigate the incidence of UI among patients undergoing different procedures for BPH. A retrospective analysis was conducted using a large national database, containing patient records between 2011 and 2022. The most employed surgical procedures for BPH were considered, including TURP, Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP), Holmium/Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP/ThuLEP), Open Simple Prostatectomy (OSP), minimally invasive simple prostatectomy (Lap/Rob SP), Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (PVP), Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL), Robotic Waterjet Treatment (RWT - Aquablation®), Water Vapor Thermal Therapy (WVTT - Rezum®) and Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE). Rates of any type of UI, including stress UI (SUI), urge UI (UUI) and mixed UI (MUI) were assessed. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify predictors of "persistent" postoperative UI, defined as the presence of an active UI diagnosis at 12 months post-surgery. Among 274,808 patients who underwent BPH surgery, 11,017 (4.01%) experienced persistent UI. UUI rates varied between 0.62% (PAE) and 2.71% (PVP), SUI ranged from 0.04% (PAE) and 2.75% (Lap/Rob SP), while MUI between 0.11% (PAE) and 1.17% (HoLEP/ThuLEP). On multivariable analysis, HoLEP/ThuLEP (OR 1.612; 95% CI: 1.508-1.721; P<0.001), PVP (OR 1.164; 95% CI:1.122-1.208; P<0.001), Open SP (OR 1.424; 95% CI:1.241- 1.624; P<0.001), and Lap/Rob SP (OR 1.667; 95% CI:1.119-2.384; P<0.01) showed significant higher likelihood of UI compared to TURP. PUL (OR 0.604; 95% CI:0.566-0.644; P<0.001), WVTT (OR 0.661; 95% CI:0.579-0.752; P<0.001), RWT (OR 0.434; 95% CI:0.216-0.767; P<0.01), and PAE (OR 0.178; 95% CI:0.111-0.269; P<0.001) were associated with lower likelihood of UI. UI remains a concerning complication following BPH surgery, but it is an uncommon event affecting <5% of patients. Some differences in UI rates and risk might exist among various BPH procedures. These findings underscore the need for thorough patient selection and counseling.

Treatment strategies for revision surgery of artificial urinary sphincter: A review.

Artificial urinary sphincters (AUS) are an effective treatment for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, infection, erosion, mechanical failure, atrophy, and balloon deterioration cause device malfunction in approximately half of patients by 10 years after implantation. Many patients desire to regain urinary continence and require revision surgery (RS), including device removal and simultaneous or delayed implantation. Patients for whom RS is considered should be examined physically and by interview for signs of infection. Urethral erosion should be assessed using cystoscopy. If there is infection or erosion, all devices should be removed first, and a new device should be implanted several months later. During the RS, after strong adhesion around the urethra, transcorporal cuff implantation is a safe choice. Device removal and simultaneous implantation can be performed in the absence of infection or erosion. If a long time has passed since device implantation, the entire device should be replaced due to device aging and deterioration; however, if the time is short, only the defective component need be replaced. Intraoperative assessment of urethral health is necessary for device removal and implantation. If the urethra is healthy, a new cuff can be placed in the same position as the old cuff was removed from; however, if the urethra is unhealthy, the cuff can be implanted in a more proximal/distal position, or a transcorporal cuff implant may be chosen. This article reviews the literature on diagnostic and treatment strategies for recurrent SUI in male patients with AUS and proposes a flowchart for AUS revision.

Differences in Advanced Therapeutic Modalities for Overactive Bladder in the United States by Race

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of race on prescription patterns of therapies for OAB. MethodsThe TriNetX Diamond network was queried to identify adult females with a diagnosis of urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) or OAB, excluding those with stress incontinence or mixed incontinence. Treatments were defined as behavioral, medical, or minimally invasive in accordance with American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines. Propensity score matching for multiple covariates was performed using the greedy nearest-neighbor algorithm. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was employed to compare the matched cohorts. Rates of treatment by three-digit zip codes were compared through chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact tests and geographic distribution maps were generated via STATA 17.0. ResultsWe identified 2,687,316 adult females diagnosed with OAB; 767,159 identified as White and 108,464 as Black. Within these cohorts, 16.6% of Black patients and 20.4% of White patients received OAB treatment. Twenty-six-point three percent of US zip-codes contained data for both White and Black patients, and in all these zip codes, White patients received significantly higher rates of prescriptions compared to Black patients. After propensity-score matching, significant differences in prescriptions persisted between the two groups with White patients exhibiting higher rates of any prescription. ConclusionsOur results demonstrate a significantly lower rate of prescriptions of medical and minimally invasive therapies for Black women. These racial differences in prescription of advanced therapeutic modalities for OAB may not be secondary to diagnosis but are likely secondary to prescribing disparities. Further research is needed to understand these differences.

Antepartum pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) plus perineal massage vs. postpartum PFMT alone: analysis of pelvic floor disorders, Quality of Life and sexual function.

The aim of this study was to analyze how antepartum pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) plus perineal massage associated with postpartum PFMT have a significant impact on pelvic floor health during pregnancy and after delivery. One thousand two hundred thirty-three women were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2021. They were divided into two groups: 786 women underwent postpartum PFMT only, 447 women experienced both prepartum perineal massage and PFMT and postpartum PFMT. The primary endpoint was to evaluate prepartum perineal massage and PFMT's impact on delivery. The second endpoint was the evaluation of Quality of Life and sexual function at 3- and 12-months follow-up after delivery. Women who underwent prepartum PFMT experienced significantly lower percentage of episiotomy, high-grade obstetric tear or instrumental delivery and higher percentage of intact perineum. Furthermore, prepartum PFMT appeared to improve sexual function at 3 months follow-up, and it was associated with an earlier first sexual intercourse after childbirth. The incidence of stress urinary incontinence was significantly higher in women who experienced PFMT only in postpartum, both at 3- and 12-months follow-up, while the other examined clinical parameters did not show a significant difference. Prepartum PFMT has a role in preventing obstetric traumas and on improving Sexual Function and Quality of Live in the immediate postpartum. Moreover, prepartum PFMT in association with postpartum PFMT reduces the incidence of stress urinary incontinence in a higher percentage than postpartum PFMT only.

Cellular regenerative therapy in stress urinary incontinence: new frontiers?-a narrative review.

Even if treatment with stem cells has been shown to be safe and effective in many patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), there is still room for improvement using other regenerative medicine alternatives. Since the beneficial effects of stem cells are probably mediated by secretion of factors rather than by the cells themselves there is a good rationale for further exploring the therapeutic effects of the secretome and/or its components. However, homing factors such as stromal derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1; CXCL12), stimulation of stem cell growth and stem cell mobilization in vivo using low intensity shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) or regenerative electrical stimulation (RES), are also promising approaches. A literature search was performed based on PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The search criteria included original basic science articles, systematic reviews and randomized control trials. All studies were published between 2000 and 2023. Selected, peer-reviewed studies were further analyzed to identify those of relevance. Keywords searched included: "female stress incontinence", "homing factors", "CXCL12", "secretome", "low intensity shockwave therapy" and "regenerative electrical stimulation". The peer-reviewed publications on the key word subjects that contained a novel addition to the existing body of literature were included. There is evidence from studies on non-human primates (NHPs) with experimental urinary sphincter injury that CXCL12 can restore sphincter structure and function. Studies with homing factors in human patients with SUI are still to be performed. A large number of clinical studies on the use of secretome or secretome products from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on indications other than human SUI are already available. However, controlled clinical trials on patients with SUI, have to the best of our knowledge, not yet been performed. Also, RES has not been studied in patients with SUI. In contrast, there is clinical evidence that Li-ESWT may improve female SUI. Treatment with homing factors, MSC secretome/secretome components, Li-ESWT and RES are promising frontiers in the treatment of human SUI caused by sphincter damage.

Frailty and the Correlation Between Total Testosterone Levels and Urinary Incontinence Among Elderly Women.

The objective was to explore the correlation between total testosterone levels and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) in older patients, emphasizing frailty. This prospective cross-sectional study included 1,328 women over 60 years of age at an incontinence specialty clinic. Participants were assessed for UI, frailty, using the Japanese Frailty Scale, and total testosterone levels. Analysis of a logistic regression model was employed for age, body mass index (BMI), and vaginal deliveries adjustment, with association and multivariate analyses to evaluate the associations with SUI and UUI. The frailty and nonfrailty groups each consisted of 664 individuals. After age, BMI, and the number of vaginal deliveries adjustment, the analysis showed a negative association between total testosterone levels and both SUI (p < 0.001) and UUI (p < 0.001) in the frailty group. Multivariate analysis revealed that, in the nonfrailty group, factors such as low total testosterone levels (p = 0.0145), diabetes (p = 0.0052), and cerebral infarction (p = 0.0254) were related to SUI, whereas no significant factors were associated with UUI. In the frailty group, factors associated with SUI included low total testosterone levels (p < 0.0001), the number of vaginal deliveries (p < 0.0001), smoking (p = 0.0240), chronic lung disease (p < 0.0248), and hypertension (p < 0.0265). Factors associated with UUI were age (p < 0.0001), low total testosterone levels (p = 0.0025), diabetes (p < 0.0001), and the number of vaginal deliveries (p = 0.0152). The study highlights the significance of incorporating the assessment of frailty and testosterone levels in addressing UI among older women, particularly in the aged population, underscoring the need for tailored approaches in this demographic.

The fragile urethra: what to do next?-a narrative review.

Although the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has demonstrated successful outcomes in treating male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) for the past five decades, this procedure also carries inherent risks, including recurrent SUI, device malfunction, local tissue compromise, and infection/erosion, all of which may require revision surgery with or without device replacement. Patients that are at the highest risk for such untoward events often possess unhealthy urethral tissue (termed a "fragile urethra") that is compromised and unable to provide optimal cuff coaptation and continence. Accordingly, there are several techniques to address recalcitrant SUI in the setting of a fragile urethra to afford an improved chance of return to continence. Here, we review characteristics of patients that are at higher risk for an untoward outcome following AUS implantation and further define strategies to promote optimal success with device implantation. The aim of this paper is to review the available literature and describe surgical options for male SUI in patients with known or anticipated urethral tissue compromise. A thorough literature review was completed by querying PubMed for relevant articles. Search terms included artificial urinary sphincter, failure, recalcitrant, urethral atrophy, fragile urethra, revision, radiation, cystectomy, incontinence, and/or urethroplasty published between 1975 and 2022. Options for management of the fragile urethra include cuff relocation, cuff downsizing, tandem cuff placement, transcorporal cuff placement, pressure regulating balloon exchange with increased or decreased pressure, bulbospongiosus preservation, sub-cuff ventral capsulotomy, urethral wrapping with graft, and in select cases, urinary diversion, or complete device removal with a return to SUI. Proper patient selection is paramount to optimize outcomes. Advantages and disadvantages of each strategy are reviewed. Numerous techniques are viable options for patients with recalcitrant SUI in the setting of a fragile urethra, but high-quality evidence with reproducible outcomes for many of these strategies remain limited. Proper patient selection as well as adequate counseling by experienced implant surgeons may help optimize outcomes. Further multi-institutional investigations with longer term outcomes are needed to improve patient selection and counseling with shared decision-making prior to any intervention.