Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a minimally invasive technique that provides effective treatment for the management of refractory overactive bladder (OAB), non-obstructive urinary retention (NOUR), and fecal incontinence (FI). This study assessed patient preferences between the currently available non-rechargeable SNM device and a new, full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-safe, smaller, rechargeable device.
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among French OAB, NOUR, FI patients, recruited via a market research vendor. To assess their preferences, patients were asked to indicate their level of agreement with 10 statements regarding the size of the device, its rechargeability, and the role of MRI using a 6-item Likert scale. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed.
In all, 95 patients (68% women), mean age 50 years, were included in the study: 51% were treated for OAB; 44% received an oral treatment and 28% had SNM. Overall, 71% of the 95 patients indicated a preference for the new device; 75% considered that recharging the device would not impact their lifestyle; 74% believed that the smaller size of the rechargeable device would facilitate their choice to be treated with SNM; 80% found full-body MRI compatibility important.
Most patients may prefer the new rechargeable SNM device over the current "standard". Compatibility with full-body MRI and the smaller device size seemed the key features of the newer device that would influence their choice of being treated with SNM. Future national and international recommendations should consider a shared decision-making process between the physician and the patient.
Progres en urologie : journal de l'Association francaise d'urologie et de la Societe francaise d'urologie. 2022 Jun 22 [Epub]
X Gamé, A Ruffion, J-N Cornu, V Phé, B Peyronnet, M-A Perrouin-Verbe, C Aublant, A Adé, E Chartier-Kastler
Département d'urologie, transplantation rénale et andrologie, CHU Rangueil, TSA50032, 31059 Toulouse, France. Electronic address: ., Équipe 2, service d'urologie, Centre d'innovation en cancérologie de Lyon (EA 3738 CICLY), faculté de médecine Lyon Sud, hospices civils de Lyon, université Lyon 1, centre hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France., Service d'urologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de Rouen, Rouen, France., Academic Hospital Tenon, Sorbonne université, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France., Service d'urologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France., Service d'urologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France., Neuromodulation, neurovascular & pelvic healths, Medtronic France, Paris, France., Health economics & reimbursement, Medtronic France, Paris, France., Academic hospital, Sorbonne université, Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.