Quality of life and patient satisfaction after artificial urinary sphincter

BACKGROUND: We assessed satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) in men with artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement. METHODS: We identified 39 men who had AUS placement. A retrospective chart review was conducted. Validated questionnaires, including the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Post-Operative Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-SF), and Urogenital Distress Index (UDI-SF), were used to measure patient-reported outcome. Global satisfaction was also assessed. RESULTS: At chart review, 34 of 39 questionnaires were assessed for QOL, satisfaction and surgical outcome. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 60 months (median = 24 months). Surgical revisions were required in 6 (17.6%) patients due to infection (1), erosion (1), combined infection and erosion (1), device failure (1) and second cuff placement (2). Quality of life was assessed using the IIQ-SF and UDI-SF, with mean scores of 15.4 and 24.8, respectively; these scores indicated a low negative impact on QOL. The ICIQ-SF mean score was 8.2, well below the worst possible score. The number of men using more than 1 pad per day dropped from 27 preoperatively to 10 postoperatively. Most patients (31/34) described their urinary condition as better, 2 had no change and 1 was worse. Most patients (31/34, 91.2%) would be willing to undergo the procedure again, 2 were undecided, and 1 would not. Similarly, 28 patients (82.4%) would recommend the procedure to a friend, 3 respondents would "with reservation," 1 respondent was undecided, and 2 would not recommend the AUS placement. CONCLUSION: Treatment of urinary incontinence with the AUS has a positive effect on QOL with high patient satisfaction and reasonably low complication rates.