Nationwide database of surgical treatment pattern for patients with stress urinary incontinence in Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Nationwide database regarding stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is

important for evaluating treatment patterns for SUI and for establishing

appropriate national policies regarding SUI management. The purpose of this

present study was to investigate surgical treatment patterns for women with SUI

and analyze the current status of SUI management in Korea by using a nationwide

database. METHODS: Data used for investigating the surgical trends and changes in

Korea were retrieved from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from

2008 to 2011. RESULTS: The number of surgical cases of SUI decreased continuously

from 2008 to 2011. The proportion of transvaginal surgery using a midurethral

sling increased continuously. Sling procedures were most commonly performed for

women in their 40s followed by women in their 50s. Transvaginal surgery using a

single sling or a readjustable sling was performed from 5.6% to 6.1%, which

showed no significant change in the number of surgical cases. CONCLUSIONS: There

is a growing need for an appropriate national welfare policy and budget to care

for aged and super-aged women in Korea. The early detection and intervention of

silent SUI should be actively considered as an important preventive strategy to

improve the quality of life in younger women.