Urinary Incontinence - Incidence, Associations and Effect of Lung Transplant

L. M. Fuller, M. Poulsen, B. Button, R. Robinson, G. I. Snell, A. Burge

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting Abstractpeer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE: Compared to healthy peers, the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) is greater in males and females with respiratory disease, but the trajectory of UI and relationship with respiratory symptoms is unknown following lung transplantation (LTx). AIM: Prospective questionnaire study aimed to investigate the prevalence and association with coughing of urinary incontinence before and after LTx. METHODS: The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Modules (ICIQ) were completed by consenting adult LTx candidates and repeated 3 months after their LTx. These validated modules identify the prevalence and impact of UI. All participants completed a 10 -12 week, thrice weekly exercise rehabilitation program RESULTS: Of 93 participants, 76% were transplanted (43% male, age males mean 62 [SD 9] years, females 52 [SD 14] years). Prostate problems were reported by 12% of males; 30% of females were nulliparous and 41% postmenopausal. There was a significant difference between the report of any UI (stress or urgency) from pre (n=56, p<0.0001) to post LTx (n=33, p=0.182). There was a difference between males and females for report of UI pre LTx (42/53 females, 14/40 males, p<0.0001) which was not demonstrated post LTx (20/37 females, 13/34 males, p=0.182). In females, scores for UI symptoms (pre: median 3 [IQR 0.3 to 6], post: 1 [0 to 4], p<0.0001) and quality of life (mean difference 5.8 [95%CI 1.3 to 10.2]) significantly improved post LTx. Pre LTx UI symptom scores were lower in males (pre: median 1 [IQR 0 to 2]) and no difference was demonstrated post LTx (1 [0 to 3], p=0.650). No difference in scores for quality of life was demonstrated in males (mean difference -0.7 [95%CI -7.1 to 5.7]). For participants with UI pre LTx, no relationship was observed post LTx with improvement in UI and improvement consistent with the minimal important difference for LCQ (females p=0.621, males p=0.757). CONCLUSION: Improvement in UI symptom and quality of life scores were observed in females following LTx. Resolution of UI symptoms did not appear to be related to change in cough in males or females post LTx. However, the lack of improvement in UI in some participants following LTx indicates the need for further work in order to identify vulnerable participants, and routine screening should be considered pre and post LTx.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S492
Number of pages1
JournalThe Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Volume39
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2020
Externally publishedYes
EventAnnual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International-Society-for-Heart-and-Lung-Transplantation 2020 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: 22 Apr 202025 Apr 2020
Conference number: 40th

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