Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
Women undergoing InterStim implantation for overactive bladder (OAB) or painful bladder syndrome (PBS) were prospectively evaluated to determine if neuromodulation has any effect on female sexual function (FSF).
Methods
Sexually active women in our InterStim database completed a female sexual function index (FSFI) preoperatively and at 6 months.
Results
Of 105 women, 54 have 6-month follow-up data. Of these, 27 were sexually active preoperatively and at follow-up. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) FSFI improved from 18.7 (6.8) preoperatively to 21.0 (6.0) postoperatively; however, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.220). Subgroup analysis of patients with OAB revealed that mean (SD) FSFI preoperatively was 18.6 (8.0) and 22.4 (6.4) at 6 months (p = 0.257). In the PBS group, mean (SD) FSFI was 18.8 (6.3) preoperatively and 18.7 (5.8) at 6 months (p = 0.98).
Conclusions
Neuromodulation does not significantly improve FSF in a heterogenous population. Additional studies are needed to confirm the findings in our study.
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Acknowledgment
The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Ibrahim Ibrahim for all of his dedicated efforts with the statistical analysis for this study. Dr. Ibrahim unfortunately passed away during the final preparation of the manuscript.
Conflicts of interest
Michael Ingber, Ibrahim Ibrahim, and Kim Killinger have no conflict of interest to declare.
Kenneth Peters is a consultant at Medtronic and Advanced Bionics and an investigator at Allergan and Pfizer.
Ananias Diokno is a consultant at Medtronic and McNeil Pharmaceuticals and a consultant/advisor at Allergan, Ortho Urology, and Advanced Bionics.
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Ingber, M.S., Ibrahim, I.A., Killinger, K.A. et al. Neuromodulation and female sexual function: does treatment for refractory voiding symptoms have an added benefit?. Int Urogynecol J 20, 1055–1059 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0900-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0900-3