Sacral Neuromodulation with the InterStim™ System for Intractable Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunctions (SOUNDS): Results of Clinical Effectiveness, Quality of Life, Patient-Reported Outcomes and Safety in a French Multicenter Observational Study

Background: Real-world data that support the use of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for lower urinary tract dysfunctions are of continued interest.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness, quality of life (QoL), patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and safety of SNM with the InterStim™ system in real life during 1-yr postimplant.

Design, setting, and participants: This is a prospective, multicenter, observational study at 25 representative public and private French sites. Eligible patients received SNM therapy for overactive bladder (OAB) and non-obstructive urinary retention based on local standard of care. Overall, 320 patients were enrolled; 247 received permanent implant or replacement; 204 implanted patients completed second follow-up after mean of 10.0±3.8 mo.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Effectiveness outcomes were change in voids, leaks, and catheterizations/day. Other outcomes included validated QoL and disease severity scores as well as PROs and adverse event data. Outcomes at follow-ups were compared with baseline using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results and limitations: Voids in urinary frequency (UF) and leaks/day in urinary urge incontinence (UI) patients were significantly reduced after 10 mo in both de novo (mean baseline voids/day UF de novo: 12.7 vs 8.6 after 10 mo; p<0.001; mean baseline leaks/day UI de novo: 4.3 vs 1.1 after 10 mo; p<0.001) and replacement patients (mean baseline voids/day UF replacement: 11.5 vs 7.9 after 10 mo; p<0.001; mean baseline leaks/day UI replacement: 5.4 vs 1.0 after 10 mo; p<0.001). Disease bother, Urinary Symptom Profile score, and Ditrovie questionnaire score were also significantly improved. Revisions postimplant occurred in 20% of patients including in 9% due to permanent explantation during a mean exposure time of 24.3 mo.

Conclusions: Through a real-life study, SOUNDS (Sacral neuromOdUlation with InterStim™ therapy for intractable lower uriNary tract DySfunctions) confirms the clinical effectiveness, safety, and positive effect of SNM on QoL and PROs for the treatment of OAB patients.

Patient summary: These analyses on French patients who received sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for retention or OAB during a 10-mo period showed that SNM improved OAB symptoms, quality of life, and reduced disease bother.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02186041.