Body mass index does not influence the outcome of anti-incontinence surgery among women whereas menopausal status and ageing do: a randomised trial.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

A few series comparing the clinical efficacy of midurethral slings in obese and postmenopausal patients are available. The aim of the study was to assess clinical efficacy of suburethral tape operations for the surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) stratified by obesity, menopause and ageing.

METHODS

Five hundred thirty-seven patients underwent either retropubic or transobturator sling procedure. Patients were randomly allocated into two study groups in a ratio of 1:1. After 18 months, 398 women were available for a follow-up efficacy evaluation.

RESULTS

The clinical effectiveness of surgical SUI treatment did not depend on patients' body mass index (BMI) and type of midurethral sling, but menopausal status and ageing significantly influenced the outcome of the surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that BMI does not influence the clinical effectiveness of SUI treatment, whereas both menopause and ageing had a detrimental influence on the final outcome of the surgery.