Harnessing the ICIQ-SF questionnaire for enhanced diagnosis and management of urinary incontinence in women

Introduction: The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) assesses the impact of urinary incontinence on specific quality-of-life aspects in a straightforward manner. Conversely, the invasive urodynamic study serves as a diagnostic tool for identifying the etiology of urinary incontinence. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the ICIQ-SF questionnaire results with those of the invasive urodynamic study to establish recommendations for clinical conduct. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative study employed a simple random sampling methodology. It included 189 women with a clinical diagnosis of urinary incontinence who underwent both the invasive urodynamic study and completed the ICIQ-SF questionnaire. The data from the ICIQ-SF and urodynamic studies were compared to develop a treatment recommendation for urinary incontinence in women. Results: The analysis revealed a higher proportion of detrusor overactivity in the invasive urodynamic study among participants who reported “It leaks before I get to the bathroom” (59.3%) and “It leaks when I am dressing” (43.2%) in response to Question 6. Furthermore, a significant association was found between stress urinary leakage and responses to Question 6, specifically “It leaks when I cough or sneeze” (79.8%) and “It leaks when I am doing physical activity” (67.2%). The ICIQ-SF responses guided the treatment indications for urinary incontinence, categorized into four groups: A) no leakage (respondents answering “never”), B) urgent leakage (Question 6 responses indicating urinary leakage before reaching the bathroom and while dressing), C) stress leakage (Question 6 responses of urinary leakage when coughing or sneezing, and during physical activity), and D) mixed and/or unclassified urinary leakage (more than two varied responses to Questions 3, 4, and 6, not conforming to the patterns of the previous groups). Conclusions: The ICIQ-SF is straightforward to administer and can guide the treatment of urinary incontinence. Meanwhile, the invasive urodynamic study, being invasive, should be reserved for special circumstances.According to the presented recommendations, patients in Group A should be managed by a general practitioner, those in Group B may undergo pharmacological and/or physiotherapy treatment, individuals in Group C may receive physiotherapy and/or surgical treatment, and those in Group D should be evaluated by a specialist and may require the invasive urodynamic study.