AIM

This study examined the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises after 12 months of successful treatment for stress urinary incontinence based on subjective (incontinence episodes and pad test) and objective outcome variables (urethral closure pressure, UCP, functional profile length and pressure transmission ratio, PTR).

METHODS

Fifty women aged 24-58 years old with genuine stress urine incontinence who successfully underwent pelvic floor muscle exercises, as measured by incontinence episodes and pad test, were included in the study. All women underwent a comprehensive standardized evaluation of urethral pressure profilometry at baseline assessment and at the end of 12 months of pelvic floor exercise program. Maximal UCP, mean UCP, functional profile length or PTR were recorded in all patients.

RESULTS

At baseline, the study population had a mean maximal UCP of 33 +/- 20 cm H(2)O, a mean UCP of 18 +/- 10 cm H(2)O, a mean functional urethral length of 22 +/- 5 mm and a mean PTR of 81 +/- 12%. At the end of 12 months of successful and continuous pelvic floor exercises and a significant improvement of incontinence episodes, no difference could be recorded concerning urethroprofilometry parameters studied apart from mean PTR, which was significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that apart from the mean PTR no other urodynamic parameter reflected the continence improvement of pelvic floor exercise program.