A Norwegian national cohort of 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence--demography and medical history.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the demography, medical history and clinical characteristics of women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This prospective cohort study investigated all 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway from 1992 to 1994. Data were collected from both patients and physicians by questionnaires before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Mean age was 53 years. According to the physicians, 43, 15, 37 and 5% of the patients had stress, urge, mixed incontinence and other diagnoses, respectively. Fifty-five per cent of the women had had symptoms for 5 years or more, 62% had urinary loss every day/night, and 59% of the patients were classified as having severe or very severe incontinence according to a validated severity index. Fifty-two per cent of the women used a long-term stimulator and 48% a maximal stimulator. Of 645 physicians who requested stimulators, 65% worked in general practice; 70% of the stimulators were requested by physicians working in hospital or specialists in private practice. Gynaecologists requested 53% of the stimulators.

CONCLUSIONS

The Norwegian reimbursement system can be said to be a numeric success. Electrical stimulation is a treatment option for everyday use in Norway. This complete national cohort of 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence was biased towards younger patients and more severe incontinence.