The predictive value of demonstrable stress incontinence during basic office evaluation and urodynamics in women without symptomatic urinary incontinence undergoing vaginal prolapse surgery

Abstract

Aims: Women with pelvic organ prolapse without symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI) might demonstrate stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with or without prolapse reduction. We aimed to determine the value of demonstrable SUI during basic office evaluation or urodynamics in predicting SUI after vaginal prolapse repair in these women.

Methods: Women included in the CUPIDO trials without bothersome UI or UI more than once a week were eligible if they had undergone prolapse repair without incontinence surgery. The diagnostic and predictive value of demonstrable SUI was studied for postoperative SUI (POSUI). POSUI was defined as bothersome SUI at 1-year follow-up or treatment for SUI in the first postoperative year.

Results: In 45% (77/173) of the included women urodynamics was performed. In 19% (32/172) SUI was demonstrated with basic office evaluation, against 29% (22/77) with urodynamics. Nine percent (16/172) developed POSUI, six women underwent surgery for de novo SUI. Women with demonstrable SUI were more at risk to face POSUI: twenty-eight percent versus five percent (Diagnostic Odds Ratio: 7; 95%CI 3-22). Urodynamics predicted one more woman having POSUI, but all women who underwent treatment for de novo SUI showed SUI during basic office evaluation. Test performance did not improved with the adding of urodynamics.

Conclusions: The predictive value of demonstrable SUI in symptomatically continent women undergoing vaginal prolapse repair is limited. Urodynamics added no value. The twenty-eight percent POSUI risk must be balanced against the increased complication risk if a prophylactic midurethral sling is considered.

Keywords: midurethral sling; occult stress urinary incontinence; pelvic organ prolapse; predictive value; stress test; urinary incontinence; urodynamics.