[A prospective control study on treatment of stress urinary incontinence with alpha-adrenoceptor agonists and pelvic floor muscle exercises]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic results of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists and pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) for stress urinary incontinence.

Methods: A prospective, single-center, random control study was carried out in 46 patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The patients were divided into two groups, 22 in alpha-adrenoceptor agonists group vs 24 in PFME group. Clinical outcomes and the scores of quality of life were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

Results: Two patients in alpha-adrenoceptor agonists group and four patients in PFME group were failed to complete the study. According to patient's subjective scores, excellent effective rate was 15% (3/20) and effective rate was 85% (17/20) in alpha-adrenoceptor agonists group versus effective rate of 55% (11/20) and no-effective rate of 45% (9/20) in PFME group. According to objective 1 h pad test criteria, the efficacy was significantly better in alpha-adrenoceptor agonists group (P < 0.01). The scores of quality of life were improved in all patients of two groups after treatment, and were significantly better in alpha-adrenoceptor agonists group (P < 0.05). There was no difference in sexual life score in PFME group and alpha-adrenoceptor agonists group.

Conclusions: Both alpha-adrenoceptor agonists and PFME are effective non-surgical treatments for stress urinary incontinence. However, alpha-adrenoceptor agonists have better effect than PFME.