Major incontinence and minor incontinence

This was a response to a question I asked on the web site identified by Modelshipwright a few days ago. Their results say only 28% of patients in the study of over 1000 subjects were LFPF after 24 mos. However, another 40% were pad free with an occasional leak, and 22% were using just a light pad. Now we are in the 90% range which to me at least is somewhat encouraging.


Steve Ritchey, on November 18th, 2009 at 7:31 am Said:
I believe the current thinking is that if there is no improvement in incontinence after a year, and some sort of sling or valve implant can then be considered. Does this study imply that there can be significant improvement between 12 and 24 months?

Sitemaster, on November 18th, 2009 at 8:54 am Said:
I think we need to distinguish between serious incontinence that might actually need treatment and minor incontinence that most would consider to be an irritation bordering on annoying at times.

If there is still serious inability to control one’s urinary function a year after treatment, then it is unlikeey there is going to be significant improvement. By contrast, minor incontinence that has just taken longer than average to recover to something approaching normality may continue to improve for as much as 2 years. But at the end of the day there are exceptions to every “rule.” Humans have a profound ability to demonstrate their individuality!

Good luck to us all, Steve

My first response to this post was to jump up and run to the bathroom.

I would agree that if you are down to one light pad per day you are into the region where incontinence does not affect your quality of life and so it probably should not count. Childbirth leaves many women at this level and nobody seems to think it is worth studying, much less treating.

Brother Jeff (worried guy) is, of course, right about the proper way to do the measurement, but when I mentioned it to my wife she suggested that I sleep in the garage. We must not become so enchanted with engineering that we ignore sociology.

Hey Dick,
It's yours - as long as you make sure wash off the pan!
Jeff