Introduction and hypothesis: The purpose of this observational study was to examine the effect of periurethral injections with polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG) on quality of life (QoL) in selected patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Methods: Fifty-four women with comorbidities or other reasons precluding other surgery received PAHG for SUI. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed with the "Incontinence Outcome Questionnaire" (IOQ) 9 months postoperatively. The IOQ is a 27-item, condition-specific instrument that assesses patient-reported outcomes after incontinence surgery.
Results: Forty-two women (78%) completed the questionnaire. Responses ranged from considerable (40%) and slight improvement (21%) to no change (29%) and worsening of symptoms (10%).
Conclusion: Periurethral injections with PAHG are likely to provide relief of symptoms and improvement in QoL.