PURPOSE: Many investigators have used number of pads to determine severity of post prostatectomy incontinence (PPI), yet the accuracy of this tool remains unproven.
The aim of this study was to determine if patient's perception of pad use and urine loss reflects actual urine loss. We also sought to identify a quality of life (QoL) measure that distinguishes patients by severity of incontinence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 235 men from 18 sites >6 months after radical prostatectomy, with incontinence requiring protection. Patients completed a questionnaire about perception of number, size and wetness of pads and a QoL question, several standardized incontinence questionnaires, and a 24-hour pad test that assessed number, size, and weight of pads. SPSS was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: Perception of number of pads used was in close agreement with number of pads collected during a 24-hour pad test. Perceived and actual pad size had excellent concordance (76%, p< 0.001). Patients with "wet" and "soaked" pads had statistically, and clinically, significantly different pad weights uniquely different from each other, and from the "almost dry" and "slightly wet". The response to the QoL question separated men in to 4 statistically significantly different groups based on mean 24-hour pad weight.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients accurately describe the number, size and the degree of wetness of pads collected during a 24-hour pad test. These correlate well with actual urine loss. The single question of "To what extent does urine loss affect your quality of life?" separated men into distinct categories.
Written by:
Nitti VW, Mourtzinos A, Brucker BM. Are you the author?
Urology and Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY; Urology, Tufts Medical School; Urology, New York University Langone Medical Center.
Reference: J Urol. 2014 Mar 17. pii: S0022-5347(14)02945-0.
doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.03.031
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24650425
UroToday.com Urinary Incontinence Section
