Quality of life and sexual function after tension-free vaginal tape and polyacrylamide hydrogel injection for primary stress urinary incontinence: 3-year follow-up from a randomized clinical trial

Introduction and hypothesis To assess quality of life (QoL) and sexual function outcomes at 3 years after tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and polyacrylamide hydrogel injection (PAHG) for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods In this randomized trial comparing TVT ( n = 104) and PAHG ( n = 108), we assessed changes in QoL and sexuality using the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form (IIQ-7), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) and RAND-36 Item Health Survey (RAND-36) at baseline and at 3 years. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized, noninferiority trial comparing patient satisfaction after TVT and PAHG. Results In both groups, incontinence-related QoL improved from the baseline ( p < 0.00), except for difficulty emptying the bladder and pain/discomfort. Total scores of UDI-6 and IIIQ-7 were lower for TVT compared to PAHG ( p < 0.00) indicating better QoL at 3 years. Urinary incontinence with sexual activity or fear of incontinence restricting sexual activity improved in both groups ( p < 0.00), with higher scores for physical section subscale in PISQ-12 ( p = 0.02) for TVT. Physical and social functioning (RAND-36) improved from the baseline in both groups ( p < 0.01) with a better outcome in the TVT group for physical functioning ( p = 0.00). Conclusions Both TVT and PAHG improve QoL and sexual function in primary SUI with better incontinence and health-related QoL scores in the TVT group compared to the PAHG group at 3 years.