Purpose: This study aims to evaluate how surgical and medical treatments affect quality of life, depression status, and social participation in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: The study includes 32 women diagnosed with SUI. Participants are divided into two groups: 16 receiving medical treatment and 16 undergoing surgical treatment. All participants are evaluated before treatment and 8 weeks after its completion using the following instruments: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire (I-QOL), World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Social Participation Questionnaire (SPQ).
This study was approved by the Çukurova University Institute of Health Sciences Non-Interventional Clinical Studies Ethics Committee (Meeting no. 70, November 10, 2017, File no. 29). All procedures were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written and verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants after explaining the study's purpose and procedures. Sample size was calculated using G\*Power 3.1 software (Universität Düsseldorf, Germany). Based on previous literature, the sample was powered to detect a within-group change on the Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire (I-QOL), with at least 16 participants required per group to achieve 80% power and a 95% confidence interval. Necessary permissions were obtained from the hospital's urology outpatient clinic prior to data collection. A total of 32 women over the age of 18, newly diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and with symptoms lasting for more than 6 months, were included. Exclusion criteria included: history of vaginal or pelvic surgery within the past 6 months, current or recurrent urinary tract infections (more than 3 in the last year), neurological or neuromuscular disease (e.g., cerebrovascular accident, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, or dementia), kidney or liver failure, illiteracy, or inability to participate in evaluations or communication. Participants were assigned to treatment by their physicians, either medical (n=16) or surgical (n=16). The medical group received pharmacological treatment, while the surgical group underwent the Transobturator Tape (TOT) procedure. Evaluations were conducted face-to-face by the same physiotherapist before treatment and 8 weeks after treatment using standardized questionnaires: ICIQ-SF, I-QOL, WHOQOL-BREF, BDI, and SPQ.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
32
Trans-obturator technique is a more beneficial and a less invasive procedure in treatment of SUI when compared with other techiniques. In this technique, a synthetic mesh tape, which is passing bilaterally through the obturator foramen, is placed underneath the mid part of the urethra.
Adana State Hospital
Adana, Çukurova, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Disease-Specific Quality of Life Score (I-QOL)
Disease-specific quality of life will be assessed using the Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire (I-QOL). This is a 22-item questionnaire scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Time frame: Change from Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 8)
Change in General Quality of Life Score (WHOQOL-BREF)
General quality of life will be evaluated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument - Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF). The WHOQOL-BREF includes 26 items across four domains: physical, psychological, social, and environmental. Each domain is scored separately, with scores ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better perceived quality of life.
Time frame: Change from Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 8)
depression
Evaluation of Depression: Depression levels will be measured using the Beck Depression Inventory, a 21-item self-report instrument. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms.
Time frame: At the beginning and at the end of 8 weeks
community participation
Evaluation of Community Participation: The Social Participation Questionnaire was used to assess the extent the subjects actively took part in life activities and how active they were. The Social Participation Questionnaire consists of 15 items. Community participation will be evaluated using the Social Participation Questionnaire (SPQ), which includes 15 items covering domains such as home and family life, social activities, and work. Scores range from 0 to 90, with higher scores indicating greater levels of social participation.
Time frame: At the beginning and at the end of 8 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.