In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the use of weight loss surgery for the treatment of urinary incontinence (UI). This study found that weight-loss surgery improves incontinence symptoms.
Some background
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the unintentional loss of urine due to stress put on the bladder. This stress can result from sneezing or exercising. Urge incontinence is a sudden and strong need to urinate. They are associated with obesity and being overweight. Weight loss has been associated with improvement in urinary incontinence (UI). Bariatric surgery can be used to aid weight-loss.
It is unknown what effect weight loss surgery has on UI.
Methods & findings
This study included 3225 women with UI from 23 other studies. All women had bariatric (weight loss) surgery. They filled out quality of life questionnaires before and after surgery.
Weight loss surgery reduced the body mass index (BMI; a measurement of body weight) by 13%. Quality of life relating to UI was improved by 14%. 59% of women were cured of UI and 55% were cured of SUI.
The bottom line
This study found that bariatric surgery improves incontinence symptoms in women.
The fine print
This study did not take into account the amount of weight loss in relation to the improvement in symptoms. This might affect the results.
Published By :
International urogynecology journal
Date :
Apr 26, 2019
