S Indrekvam1, O A Fosse, S Hunskaar. 1. Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway. Solfrid.Indrekvam@isf.uib.no
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the demography, medical history and clinical characteristics of women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study investigated all 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway from 1992 to 1994. Data were collected from both patients and physicians by questionnaires before and after treatment. RESULTS: Mean age was 53 years. According to the physicians, 43, 15, 37 and 5% of the patients had stress, urge, mixed incontinence and other diagnoses, respectively. Fifty-five per cent of the women had had symptoms for 5 years or more, 62% had urinary loss every day/night, and 59% of the patients were classified as having severe or very severe incontinence according to a validated severity index. Fifty-two per cent of the women used a long-term stimulator and 48% a maximal stimulator. Of 645 physicians who requested stimulators, 65% worked in general practice; 70% of the stimulators were requested by physicians working in hospital or specialists in private practice. Gynaecologists requested 53% of the stimulators. CONCLUSIONS: The Norwegian reimbursement system can be said to be a numeric success. Electrical stimulation is a treatment option for everyday use in Norway. This complete national cohort of 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence was biased towards younger patients and more severe incontinence.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the demography, medical history and clinical characteristics of women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study investigated all 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation in Norway from 1992 to 1994. Data were collected from both patients and physicians by questionnaires before and after treatment. RESULTS: Mean age was 53 years. According to the physicians, 43, 15, 37 and 5% of the patients had stress, urge, mixed incontinence and other diagnoses, respectively. Fifty-five per cent of the women had had symptoms for 5 years or more, 62% had urinary loss every day/night, and 59% of the patients were classified as having severe or very severe incontinence according to a validated severity index. Fifty-two per cent of the women used a long-term stimulator and 48% a maximal stimulator. Of 645 physicians who requested stimulators, 65% worked in general practice; 70% of the stimulators were requested by physicians working in hospital or specialists in private practice. Gynaecologists requested 53% of the stimulators. CONCLUSIONS: The Norwegian reimbursement system can be said to be a numeric success. Electrical stimulation is a treatment option for everyday use in Norway. This complete national cohort of 3198 women treated with home-managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence was biased towards younger patients and more severe incontinence.
Authors: Jennifer J Schmitt; Ruchira Singh; Amy L Weaver; Kristin C Mara; Randina R Harvey-Springer; Felecia R Fick; John A Occhino Journal: Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg Date: 2017 Mar/Apr Impact factor: 2.091
Authors: Fiona Stewart; Luis F Gameiro; Regina El Dib; Monica O Gameiro; Anil Kapoor; Joao L Amaro Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2016-12-09