The Impact of Duration of Complaints on Successful Outcome of Sacral Neuromodulation

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate whether the duration of complaints in patients with overactive bladder syndrome or non-obstructive urinary retention predicts the outcome of sacral neuromodulation (SNM). Methods: All patients that underwent a SNM test period evaluation between 2011 and 2014, were included in this study. The duration of complaints was listed in 3 categories: (a) 0-5 years, (b) 5-10 years and (c) 10 years or longer. Analyses with chi square tests were performed to evaluate whether the duration of complaints are associated with outcome of SNM. Results: In total, 130 patients were included. Most patients had a complaint duration of 0-5 years (n = 60). The test period was successful in 56% (n = 74) of the total group. Analyses showed that the duration of complaints is not significantly associated with outcome of SNM (p = 0.752), even when subdivided per indication, and also when possible confounders such as age at test and indication are taken into account (p = 0.720). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, there is no relationship between duration of complaints and SNM outcome. SNM seems to remain a feasible treatment option, despite of possible anatomical or physiological changes within the lower urinary tract. (C) 2017 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel