Purpose: We evaluate the perineal magnetic stimulation (PMS) effect on continence and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence.
Materials and methods: We prospective studied 91 women with demonstrable urinary incontinence treated with 16 sessions of PMS. Pretreatment and posttreatment evaluation was done by clinical history, physical examination, voiding diary, validated quality of life survey (I-QOL) and urodynamic study (UDS). Patients with no leakage after treatment were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months.
Results: Mean patient age +/- SD was 60.5 +/- 10.1 years. Immediately after treatment the I-QOL score increased 35% (p <0.001), the number of pads daily decreased 40% (p <0.001), the number of leaks daily decreased 54% (p <0.001) and 34 patients (37%) became dry. Of the 91 patients 41 were evaluated before and after treatment by UDS. The average increase in vesical leak point pressure (VLPP) was 24.3% (p = 0.001) and initial VLPP in patients who became dry was greater than 80 cm H2O. After treatment 77% of patients with initial low pressure detrusor overactivity on UDS became free of this condition. One year after discontinuing PMS 94% of patients who became dry immediately after treatment had recurrence.
Conclusions: Immediately after 16 sessions of PMS women with urinary incontinence have significant improvement in the I-QOL score with decreased daily pad use and leakage episodes but 63% had failure. Therapy is more effective in patients with a VLPP of greater than 80 cm H2O. The beneficial effect is temporary with high and early recurrence after discontinuing treatment.