Comparison of the ICIQ-SF and 24-hour pad test with other measures for evaluating the severity of urodynamic stress incontinence

This study compared the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the 24-h pad test with other measures that assess severity of urinary loss in women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). Ninety-five women with primary or recurrent (secondary) USI were recruited. Assessment of the severity of urinary loss was made using the ICIQ-SF, a 24-h pad test, continence questionnaire, Stamey grade, and 3-day frequency volume diary. The relationship between these measures of incontinence severity was analysed. The mean age was 54 years (SD±12) and median parity 2 (IQR 1–3). In the primary USI group there was a strong correlation between the ICIQ-SF and the 24-h pad test (r=0.458, P =0.000). Both the ICIQ-SF (Kendall’s’ tau b=0.331, p =0.003) and 24-h pad test (Kendall’s tau b=0.399, p =0.002) also correlated with the mean frequency of urinary loss on diary but not with the Stamey grade. No subjective or objective tests correlated with each other in women with secondary USI. These results demonstrate a good correlation between the 24-h pad test diary loss, and ICIQ-SF in women with primary USI. Because it also includes a measure of quality of life impact in a short user-friendly format, we suggest that the ICIQ-SF should have widespread applicability as an outcome measure in patients with stress incontinence.