Urodynamic Characterization of Postmenopausal Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: Retrospective Study in Incontinent Pre- and Post-menopausal Women

Hyun, Hye Sun; Park, Bo Ra; Kim, Yun Sook; Mun, Seung Taek; Bae, Dong Han

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To compare the urodynamic characteristics between pre- and post-menopausal women with stress urinary incontinence.
METHODS
Forty premenopausal women and 44 postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinenece were enrolled. All of the patients underwent a detailed history, gynaecologic examination, urinalysis and urodynamics including cystometry and pressure-flow analysis.
RESULTS
There was no difference in the body mass index between the two groups. The mean age of pre- and post-menopausal women was 40.9 +/- 6.4 years and 62.1 +/- 9.4 years, respectively. The parity in postmenopausal women was greater than premenopausal women (2.8 +/- 1.2 vs 2.2 +/- 0.8, P = 0.026). The valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) in postmenopausal women was lower than that in premenopausal women (106.4 +/- 30.3 vs 88.2 +/- 25.1 cmH2O, P = 0.04). The maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) in postmenopausal women was lower than premenopausal women (44.9 +/- 21.4 vs 77.4 +/- 32.2 cmH2O, P < 0.001). The functional urethral length (FUL) in postmenopausal women was shorter than it in premenopausal women (29.0 +/- 9.7 vs 37.0 +/- 10.9 mm, P = 0.003). There were no significant statistical differences in maximal flow rate, residual urine, maximal bladder capacity and Q tip test.
CONCLUSION
The VLPP and MUCP were lower, and the FUL was shorter in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence than premenopausal women. The parity and number of vaginal deliveries were different between the two groups. Further investigation will be needed concerning these variables.