The primary aim of this study was to investigate long-term patient-reported goals after a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) operation for stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
In this prospective study involving 67 women, patients completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) preoperatively and stated three goals for the operation. Postoperatively, a visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from zero (none) to ten (worst) estimated the extent to which goals were achieved. Goals were divided into five groups: symptoms, quality of life (QoL) (physical), QoL (emotional), sexual function, avoidance, and others. Short-term achievement of goal was estimated after 3 months and long-term achievement of goals after a mean of 28.2 months.
A total of 201 goals were stated, most of which (38%) were in the group concerning QoL in physical domains. Mean VAS score for all goals was 9.1 after 3 months and 8.5 at long-term follow-up. ICIQ-UI SF preoperatively was mean 14.9; 3 months' postoperatively mean 1.4; and at long-term 3.8. The small rise in ICIQ-UI SF at long-term follow-up was statistically insignificant and due to urge urinary incontinence (UUI).
Our study showed that patients achieved their goals to a high degree and maintained them at long-term follow-up. Most goals concerned QoL in physical domains. Although a proportion of women experienced episodes of UUI at the long-term follow-up, VAS score was not significantly changed.
International urogynecology journal. 2018 Jul 11 [Epub ahead of print]
Karin Glavind, Jonna Bjørk, Sabrina Kousgaard
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Reberbansgade, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark. ., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Reberbansgade, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.