Quality of life and anxiety 12 and 36 months after surgical SUI treatment in postmenopausal women

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition that affects a significant group of postmenopausal women, lowering quality of life, leading to embarrassment, social isolation, and decreased physical activity. SUI can be treated with medication, behavioral changes, pelvic floor muscle exercises, or surgical intervention. This study aimed to assess the changes in quality of life, acceptance of illness, and impact on physical activity, in patients after the transobturator tape (TOT) procedure following long-term assessment.

Material and methods: Forty-five women aged 71.52 ± 4.12 years took part in our follow-up project at 12 and 36 months after surgical intervention. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), Acceptance of Illness Scale Questionnaire (AIS), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used in the study.

Results: At 36 months after surgery, SUI using TOT showed a significant improvement in health acceptance. Also, there was a number of patients who reported a high level of acceptance according to the AIS.

Conclusion: Elderly women with SUI, after treatment by TOT, showed a significant improvement in health acceptance 3 years after the procedure.