Preference, Compliance and Initial Outcome of Therapeutic Options Chosen by Female Patients with Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: We determined the patient preference for, compliance with and initial outcome of either behavioral modification, pharmacotherapy or surgery for urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 incontinent women underwent basic evaluation based on Agency for Health Care Policy and Research urinary incontinence guidelines. Options were presented and the chosen modality was evaluated at 4 to 6-week intervals. RESULTS: Of the patients 61% chose behavioral modification, 25% chose pharmacotherapy and 14% chose surgery. The dropout rate was 33% (50 of 150 women), including mostly those on behavioral modification. Of the remaining patients 74% on pharmacotherapy and 73% on behavioral modification reported marked improvement. CONCLUSIONS: When given options, patients chose nonoperative measures first. Compliance was poor among patients who chose behavioral modification.