Purpose

Patient centered data are lacking regarding functional and quality of life improvements after artificial urinary sphincter placement. We analyzed the degree of benefit from artificial urinary sphincter placement using ISI (Incontinence Symptom Index), a validated patient reported outcome measure assessing the severity and bother of urinary incontinence, and IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7), a validated patient reported outcome measure assessing the impact and emotional distress of urinary incontinence.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective review at 4 centers participating in TURNS (Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons). Data were available on 51 and 45 patients who underwent artificial urinary sphincter placement, and had preoperative and postoperative ISI and IIQ-7 data, respectively.

Results

Mean age was 64.8 years. Median time from surgery to followup questionnaires was 8.5 months. On ISI the median preoperative severity and bother scores were 24 (IQR 20-28.5) and 6 (IQR 4-7), and the median postoperative severity and bother scores were 10 (IQR 4.5-17) and 1 (IQR 0-3), respectively. Improvement on each ISI item was statistically significant. On IIQ-7 the median preoperative impact and distress scores were 9 (IQR 6-13) and 4 (IQR 2-6), and the median postoperative impact and distress scores were 3 (IQR 0-7) and 0 (IQR 0-3), respectively. Improvement on each IIQ-7 item was statistically significant.

Conclusions

Artificial urinary sphincter implantation significantly reduces the severity and bother of stress urinary incontinence symptoms. Longer followup and development are needed of a patient reported outcome measure targeting male stress urinary incontinence.