Stress Urinary Incontinence
Conditions
Keywords
Urinary Incontinence, Stress, pessary, conservative management
Brief summary
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as the involuntary loss of urine with an increase in abdominal pressure, caused either by a loss of support under the bladder neck, or intrinsic urethral sphincter deficiency. It is a common problem in women that can significantly impact quality of life, with up to 30% developing SUI at some point in their lifetime. The most commonly utilized treatments for SUI include either pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises, or surgery. Many women find Kegel exercises unsatisfactory, but are reluctant to undergo a surgical procedure. Also, women who are poor candidates for surgery have limited options if Kegel exercises are unsuccessful. Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to develop effective non-surgical alternatives for treating SUI, but the results have been variable and the available data on efficacy limited. A new intravaginal incontinence pessary (Uresta) has been developed for treating stress incontinence, and is currently available in Canada via a medical distributor. The self-positioning device is initially fitted by a healthcare provider, but then can subsequently placed by the patient as needed. Uresta is designed to be easily inserted into the vagina and spontaneously fall into position, providing support beneath the urethra. A single, uncontrolled study of 21 women showed that Uresta significantly reduces urinary incontinence measures, with no reported complications. Using questionnaires, a 47% reduction in self-reported SUI symptoms was demonstrated. Pad weight following a pad test, an objective assessment of urine loss, showed a 50% reduction in leakage. This trial is intended to be a short-term assessment of the efficacy of the Uresta device, using a placebo arm in order to remove any of the possible sources of patient biases. The placebo (sham) group will be obtained by placing a flexible silastic ring (inactivated Estring) high in the vagina where it will not alter urethral forces. The aim is to unequivocally determine whether the Uresta device provides the necessary urethral support to stop urine leakage from stress incontinence. The hypothesis is that the Uresta device will significantly reduce urinary losses from baseline, shown as a significant reduction pad weight following a pad test with the device in place.
Interventions
DEVICEUresta pessary
Participants randomized to the Uresta group will be fitted with device before immediately before performing the pad test. The Uresta pessary is made of medical grade rubber that has been extensively tested for safety. It is bell-shaped, with a narrow tip that allows for easy insertion into the vagina in a similar fashion to a tampon. The device can be easily inserted, and removed by a patient for use when needed. The Uresta comes in 3 sizes. Fitting starts with insertion of the smallest size. If urine leakage continues with valsalva or a cough stress test, it can be replaced by one size larger, until leakage is stopped. If the device prevents the patient from being able to void or is uncomfortable due to its size, the smaller size is replaced. Following the pad test, the participant will be given the opportunity to keep the device for continued use, or remove it if desired.
DEVICESilastic ring
The silastic ring is a plastic flexible ring similar to that used to administer vaginal estrogen (Estring). It is well tolerated and would not contain any medications. Immediately before performing the pad test, it would be placed high in the vagina, away from the urethra. It would be removed immediately after the pad test. Draping will conceal from the patient which device was inserted.
Sponsors
Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Urodynamic diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence
Exclusion criteria
* Urodynamic diagnosis of mixed incontinence * Bladder capacity less than 300mls * Post-void residual over 100mls * Pelvic organ prolapse greater than POP-Q stage 2 * Hematuria * Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding * Current pregnancy * Previous incontinence or prolapse surgery * Failed use of an incontinence pessary * Physically unable to perform the activities included in the pad test
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A 50% Reduction in Pad Test Weight | Immediately after device placement (short term). | A pad test is an objective measure of urine loss. With a full bladder, while wearing a pad, the participant completes five repetitions of the following physical activities: coughing, step climbing, heel bounce, standing from a sitting position and walking 50 yards. The weight of the pad is then determined. The primary outcome variable will be the achievement of a 50% reduction in the pad weight before and after device placement. This figure is obtained from the study by Farrell et al, where pad weight decreased from 20 grams to 9 grams with the use of the Uresta device. |
Countries
Canada
Participant flow
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Uresta Uresta pessary: Participants randomized to the Uresta group will be fitted with device before immediately before performing the pad test. The Uresta pessary is made of medical grade rubber that has been extensively tested for safety. It is bell-shaped, with a narrow tip that allows for easy insertion into the vagina in a similar fashion to a tampon. The device can be easily inserted, and removed by a patient for use when needed. The Uresta comes in 3 sizes. Fitting starts with insertion of the smallest size. If urine leakage continues with valsalva or a cough stress test, it can be replaced by one size larger, until leakage is stopped. If the device prevents the patient from being able to void or is uncomfortable due to its size, the smaller size is replaced. Following the pad test, the participant will be given the opportunity to keep the device for continued use, or remove it if desired. | 18 |
| Silastic Vaginal Ring Silastic ring: The silastic ring is a plastic flexible ring similar to that used to administer vaginal estrogen (Estring). It is well tolerated and would not contain any medications. Immediately before performing the pad test, it would be placed high in the vagina, away from the urethra. It would be removed immediately after the pad test. Draping will conceal from the patient which device was inserted. | 18 |
| Total | 36 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Uresta | Silastic Vaginal Ring | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | 52 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 11 | 50 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 7 | 51 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 9 |
| Region of Enrollment Canada | 18 participants | 18 participants | 36 participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Female | 18 Participants | 18 Participants | 36 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | — / — | — / — |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 18 | 0 / 18 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 18 | 0 / 18 |
Outcome results
Primary
A 50% Reduction in Pad Test Weight
A pad test is an objective measure of urine loss. With a full bladder, while wearing a pad, the participant completes five repetitions of the following physical activities: coughing, step climbing, heel bounce, standing from a sitting position and walking 50 yards. The weight of the pad is then determined. The primary outcome variable will be the achievement of a 50% reduction in the pad weight before and after device placement. This figure is obtained from the study by Farrell et al, where pad weight decreased from 20 grams to 9 grams with the use of the Uresta device.
Time frame: Immediately after device placement (short term).
| Arm | Measure | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Uresta | A 50% Reduction in Pad Test Weight | 12 Participants |
| Silastic Vaginal Ring | A 50% Reduction in Pad Test Weight | 4 Participants |