Predictors of outcomes in the treatment of urge urinary incontinence in women.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Women with urge predominant urinary incontinence received active intervention (drug therapy alone or combined with behavioral therapy) for 10 weeks, then stopped all therapy and were followed for 6 months more. In this planned secondary analysis, we aimed to identify predictors of therapeutic success at 10 weeks (> or =70% reduction in incontinence) and of ability to discontinue treatment and sustain improvements 6 months later.

METHODS

Using data from 307 women, we performed logistic regression to identify predictors for outcomes described above.

RESULTS

After controlling for group, only younger age was associated with short-term success (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.66, 0.96). At 6 months, controlling for group and short-term outcome, only greater anterior vaginal wall prolapse was associated with successful discontinuation (POP-Q point Aa; OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03, 1.7).

CONCLUSION

These findings are not of sufficient strength to justify withholding conservative therapies but might be used to promote realistic expectations when counseling patients.