URGE INCONTINENCE - QUALITY-OF-LIFE AND PATIENTS VALUATION OF SYMPTOMREDUCTION

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated the effect of incontinen ce, and urge incontinence in particular, on patients' quality of life. This study assessed the effects of urge incontinence on quality of li fe and measured the value of a reduction in symptoms. Design: A self-a dministered questionnaire was mailed to 591 patients with urge or mixe d incontinence. 495 (83.8%) surveys were returned with complete qualit y of life and symptom data. Of the total sample, 411 patients received the willingness-to-pay (WTP) survey, from which 257 (62.53%) returns were judged complete and reliable. Information was collected about the number of micturitions and urinary leakages. Health-related quality o f life (HR-QOL) was measured using the Short Form 36 (SF36) Health Sur vey. Socioeconomic characteristics were also recorded. Value was asses sed with a binary WTP question. Main outcome measures and results: Qua lity of life among the sample population was significantly lower in 5 of 8 dimensions compared with the general US population, and was signi ficantly related to the severity of the symptoms in 6 of 8 dimensions. The median (mean) willingness to pay was $US27.24 ($US87.74) per mont h for a 25% reduction in micturitions and leakages, and $US75.92 ($US2 44.54) per month for a 50% reduction in micturitions and leakages. As expected, the willingness to pay was significantly related to the size of the reduction in micturitions and leakages, and household income. Conclusions: Patients with incontinence perceive substantial benefits from a reduction in the number of micturitions and leakages.