Preference, compliance and initial outcome of therapeutic options chosen by female patients with urinary incontinence.

Abstract

We determined the patient preference for, compliance with and initial outcome of either behavioral modification, pharmacotherapy or surgery for urinary incontinence. A total of 150 incontinent women underwent basic evaluation based on Agency for Health Care Policy and Research urinary incontinence guidelines. Options were presented and the chosen modality was evaluated at 4 to 6-week intervals. Of the patients 61% chose behavioral modification, 25% chose pharmacotherapy and 14% chose surgery. The dropout rate was 33% (50 of 150 women), including mostly those on behavioral modification. Of the remaining patients 74% on pharmacotherapy and 73% on behavioral modification reported marked improvement. When given options, patients chose nonoperative measures first. Compliance was poor among patients who chose behavioral modification.