SEAPI Incontinence Classification System: 1-Year Postoperative Results Following Midurethral Sling Placement

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gynecology
• Female Pelvic Medicine

Background:

• Limited long-term data exists on quality-of-life outcomes after midurethral sling (MUS) placement for stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
• The SEAPI questionnaire assesses specific urinary symptom severity, offering a detailed patient-reported outcome measure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in SEAPI questionnaire outcomes one year after midurethral sling placement for SUI.
• To identify patient factors influencing cure rates and individual SEAPI score improvements post-MUS.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 584 women undergoing MUS for SUI between 2005 and 2012.
• Inclusion criteria required completed preoperative and postoperative ( >12 months) SEAPI scores.
• Logistic regression analyzed the impact of patient characteristics on incontinence cure and SEAPI scores.

Main Results:

• Median follow-up was 25.4 months. Longer follow-up and higher baseline S, P, and I scores were associated with lower odds of overall incontinence cure.
• Rectocele grade showed a positive association with incontinence cure (OR, 1.31; P = 0.040).
• The type of sling used did not influence overall incontinence cure or individual SEAPI score cure rates.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative S, P, and I scores negatively impacted stress incontinence cure rates.
• Various patient factors differentially affected the cure of individual SEAPI symptom scores.
• The SEAPI questionnaire provides valuable patient-reported functional measures for women with SUI undergoing MUS.