The optimal threshold values for the severity of urinary incontinence based on the 1-hour pad test

To explore the correlation between the 1-hour pad test and Stamey incontinence grading and to obtain the optimal threshold values for the severity of urinary incontinence.

In a cross-sectional retrospective study at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 1-hour pad test results and Stamey grades of female patients who had undergone therapy for urinary incontinence between June 2005 and December 2010 were reviewed. The correlation between the objective and subjective measurements was assessed via a Spearman rank correlation test. The optimal diagnostic threshold was evaluated by ROC curve, and areas under the ROC curve reflected the accuracy of the 1-hour pad test.

A strong positive correlation was found between the 1-hour pad test results and the subjective grades of 320 patients (correlation coefficient 0.757, P<0.001). On the basis of the 1-hour pad test, the optimal diagnostic cutoff points for the severity of urinary incontinence were 3.4 g and 10.2g.

The 1-hour pad test could assess the severity of urinary incontinence accurately. The threshold values should be, approximately, less than 3g for mild, 3-10 g for moderate, and more than 10 g for severe urinary incontinence.