Urethral retro-resistance pressure: association with established measures of incontinence severity and change after midurethral tape insertion.

AIMS: Our study explored the relationship between URP and established measures of incontinence severity. We also report on change in URP after insertion of midurethral tape (MUT).

METHODS

All participants had incontinence secondary to urodynamic stress incontinence only. URP was measured using the Monitorr (Gynecare) device prior to and 3 months after MUT insertion. The following measures of incontinence severity were completed before and 3 months after insertion of MUT: 24-hour pad test; International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for evaluating symptoms and impact of urinary incontinence; King's Health Questionnaire for evaluating disease-specific quality of life and a 3-day urinary dairy with episodes of incontinence recorded.

RESULTS

Preoperative URP and measures of incontinence severity were available for 100 women. Mean URP bore no relationship to the severity of urine loss assessed by 24-hour pad loss. There was no correlation between URP and other measures of incontinence severity. Pre and postoperative URP was available in 73 women. Although 84.9% were objectively cure (24-hour pad test of <5 g) after surgery, pre and postoperative URP was not significantly different [62.7 (+/-19.4) cmH(2)O vs. 61.2 (+/-204) cmH(2)O; p = 0.57].

CONCLUSIONS

Urethral retro-resistance pressure is not a useful measure of urethral function.