Non-invasive tests for female incontinence are effective

New research from the University of Aberdeen suggests that women suffering from urinary incontinence can avoid uncomfortable bladder pressure tests. The study shows that non-invasive assessments are just as effective in guiding treatments. The findings were shared at the European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid and published in The Lancet. It represents the first major trial to examine the effectiveness and cost of urodynamics testing for women with specific types of urinary issues that don’t improve with initial therapies. Urodynamics testing measures how well the bladder functions, but it can be uncomfortable. It typically involves catheters to fill the bladder and measure pressure. Current guidelines suggest these tests before more invasive treatments like nerve stimulation or injections. The trial involved 1,099 women at 63 UK hospitals. It focused on women dealing with sudden urges to urinate who had not benefited from standard treatments like exercises and medications. Participants were split into two groups: one underwent invasive testing, while the other had a Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (CCA), which is much less invasive. Results showed no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups. About 23.6% of women in the urodynamics group reported marked improvement, compared to 22.7% in the CCA-only group. Interestingly, those who only did the CCA noted improvements sooner. Professor Mohamed Abdel-Fattah said the trial indicates many women can avoid the uncomfortable testing without losing treatment effectiveness. The study concluded that CCAs provide enough information for successful treatment plans. The research also found that urodynamics testing is not cost-effective for this group. Some experts noted that while the findings are significant, they should be balanced against practical challenges in clinical settings. A follow-up study over five years is underway to assess long-term outcomes.