Improvement of bowel dysfunction with sacral neuromodulation for refractory urge urinary incontinence

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is approved for urologic indications in the USA and, recently, fecal incontinence. This study described concomitant bowel dysfunction and improvements in bowel and urinary symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in women with refractory urge urinary incontinence (UUI) receiving SNS. Women (N = 36) with refractory UUI receiving SNS were prospectively enrolled. Surveys and exams were completed at baseline and follow-up, with symptom and QOL scores measured using validated scales (0-100, none-worst). A total 24 women were followed up at a median of 4.0 months post-implantation. Of these, 20 (83%) had bowel dysfunction, 13 (54%) used bowel medications at baseline, and 11 (45%) continued them after SNS. The mean/median urinary (54.8 to 32.6) and bowel (23.4 to 14.1) symptom scores improved significantly, as did urinary (64.2 to 14.3) but not bowel (2.4 to 0.0) QOL scores. Bowel dysfunction is common in women with refractory UUI. SNS improves urinary symptoms and QOL, but improvement in bowel symptoms does not translate into significant QOL changes.