Symptoms analysis for the diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the accuracy of an analysis of symptoms alone for the diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence.

DESIGN

A comparison of results of symptoms analysis with urodynamic findings.

SETTING

A gynaecological video-urodynamic unit.

SUBJECTS: 252 consecutive patients referred for urodynamic investigations.

INTERVENTIONS: A questionnaire of 20 symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction, midstream specimen of urine, pad testing, uroflowmetry, and video-cystourethrography.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Using the urodynamic diagnosis as the 'gold standard', the accuracy of discriminant function analysis of symptoms was determined.

RESULTS

Symptoms analysis achieved a correct classification of 81% with a false positive rate of 16%. Use of an accumulative probability curve defines patients who fall into the equivocal range.

CONCLUSIONS

All women presenting with incontinence should undergo preoperative urodynamic studies.