[Stress urinary incontinence: first cause of incontinence among women referred to an urogynecologic unit].

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the distribution by symptoms, signs, and urodynamic diagnosis of women with urinary incontinence referred for study and treatment to the urogynecologic unit of a third level hospital.

METHODS

Descriptive epidemiological study of 1713 consecutive women with symptoms of urinary incontinence referred for study and treatment to the urogynecologic unit between January 1998 and December 2002. Urogynecologic history, physical examination and urodynamic study were performed to all patients. Patients with genital prolapse greater than grade II were excluded. We analyzed the general characteristics of this group of patients, the distribution by main urinary symptoms, and the urodynamic diagnosis.

RESULTS

Among 1732 patients complying with inclusion criteria, 1386 (80%) referred symptoms of urine loss with effort, 977 (56.4%) urgency incontinence, and 795 (45.9%) presented the association of both. 1175 patients (67.8%) presented symptoms of urine losses with effort associated to other symptoms suggestive of mixed UI (frequency, urgency, nicturia, or urgency UI). Urodynamic diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence was obtained in 782 patients (45.2%); detrusor hyperactivity was found in 290 (16.7%); mixed urinary incontinence 413 (23.8%); 142 patients (8.2%) were grouped under the concept of other diagnosis and 105 (6.1%) had a normal study.

CONCLUSIONS

Stress urinary incontinence is the most frequently referred symptom in patients with symptoms of incontinence without symptomatic genital prolapse. In most cases it is associated to other urinary symptoms suggestive of mixed UI. The urodynamic diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence is the most frequent in this kind of patients.