A Norwegian national cohort of 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence--demography and medical history

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the demography, medical history and clinical characteristics of women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway.

Material and methods: This prospective cohort study investigated all 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway from 1992 to 1994. Data were collected from both patients and physicians by questionnaires before and after treatment.

Results: Mean age was 53 years. According to the physicians, 43, 15, 37 and 5% of the patients had stress, urge, mixed incontinence and other diagnoses, respectively. Fifty-five per cent of the women had had symptoms for 5 years or more, 62% had urinary loss every day/night, and 59% of the patients were classified as having severe or very severe incontinence according to a validated severity index. Fifty-two per cent of the women used a long-term stimulator and 48% a maximal stimulator. Of 645 physicians who requested stimulators, 65% worked in general practice; 70% of the stimulators were requested by physicians working in hospital or specialists in private practice. Gynaecologists requested 53% of the stimulators.

Conclusions: The Norwegian reimbursement system can be said to be a numeric success. Electrical stimulation is a treatment option for everyday use in Norway. This complete national cohort of 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence was biased towards younger patients and more severe incontinence.