Sacral neuromodulation for symptomatic chronic urinary retention in females: do age and comorbidities make a difference?

Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Oct;32(10):2703-2715. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04485-0. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate if age and medical comorbidities are associated with progression to implantation of sacral neuromodulation devices in women with symptomatic chronic urinary retention.

Methods: This multisite retrospective cohort included women with symptomatic chronic urinary retention who had a trial phase of sacral neuromodulation. The primary outcome was progression to implantation. Post-implantation outcomes were assessed as stable response versus decreased efficacy. A sub-analysis of catheter-reliant (intermittent-self catheterization or indwelling) patients was performed. Age was analyzed by 10-year units (decades of age). Multivariate logistic regression determined odds ratios for outcomes of implantation and for post-implantation stable response.

Results: Implantation occurred in 86% (243/284) women across six academic institutions. Most patients (160/243, 66%) were catheter reliant at the time of trial phase. Increased decade of age was associated with reduced implantation in all women [OR 0.54 (95% CI 0.42, 0.70)] and in the subgroup of catheter-reliant women [OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.37, 0.73)]. Post-implantation stable response occurred in 68% (193/243) of women at median follow-up of 2 years (range 0.3-15 years). Medical comorbidities present at the time of trials did not impact progression to implantation or post-implantation success.

Conclusions: Increasing decade of age is associated with reduced implantation in women with symptomatic chronic urinary retention. There is no age cutoff at which outcomes change. Post-implantation stable response was not associated with age or medical comorbidities.

Keywords: Aging; Elderly; Sacral neuromodulation; Urinary retention.

MeSH terms

  • Electric Stimulation Therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sacrum
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Retention* / therapy