Evaluating the effectiveness of therapies for urinary incontinence.

Subjective criteria, behavioral/emotional factors, and quality-of-life assessments are necessary components in evaluating incontinence therapies. Behavioral regimens often yield a response that lasts beyond the end of therapy and, when combined with pharmacologic therapy, are likely to extend duration of response. In addition to objective efficacy criteria, a number of instruments evaluate quality-of-life issues. Shortened forms of these will likely overcome limitations on patient compliance and completion. New instruments continue to be developed, but until one or more are universally accepted, variations in reported outcomes can be expected.