The Impact of Duration of Complaints on Successful Outcome of Sacral Neuromodulation.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to evaluate whether the duration of complaints in patients with overactive bladder syndrome or non-obstructive urinary retention predicts the outcome of sacral neuromodulation (SNM).

METHODS

All patients that underwent a SNM test period evaluation between 2011 and 2014, were included in this study. The duration of complaints was listed in 3 categories: (a) 0-5 years, (b) 5-10 years and (c) 10 years or longer. Analyses with chi square tests were performed to evaluate whether the duration of complaints are associated with outcome of SNM.

RESULTS

In total, 130 patients were included. Most patients had a complaint duration of 0-5 years (n = 60). The test period was successful in 56% (n = 74) of the total group. Analyses showed that the duration of complaints is not significantly associated with outcome of SNM (p = 0.752), even when subdivided per indication, and also when possible confounders such as age at test and indication are taken into account (p = 0.720).

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this study, there is no relationship between duration of complaints and SNM outcome. SNM seems to remain a feasible treatment option, despite of possible anatomical or physiological changes within the lower urinary tract.