Preference, compliance and initial outcome of therapeutic options chosen by female patients with urinary incontinence

Abstract

Purpose: We determined the patient preference for, compliance with and initial outcome of either behavioral modification, pharmacotherapy or surgery for urinary incontinence.

Materials and methods: A total of 150 incontinent women underwent basic evaluation based on Agency for Health Care Policy and Research urinary incontinence guidelines. Options were presented and the chosen modality was evaluated at 4 to 6-week intervals.

Results: Of the patients 61% chose behavioral modification, 25% chose pharmacotherapy and 14% chose surgery. The dropout rate was 33% (50 of 150 women), including mostly those on behavioral modification. Of the remaining patients 74% on pharmacotherapy and 73% on behavioral modification reported marked improvement.

Conclusions: When given options, patients chose nonoperative measures first. Compliance was poor among patients who chose behavioral modification.