DIAGNOSIS OF URINARY INCONTINENCE TODAY
Abstract
Background. The aim of this paper is to present a modern approach to the patient with female urinary incontinence, the emphasis being given to diagnostic procedures applied at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. History taking and clinical examination are of key importance; they serve as the basis for further examinations and procedures. After bacteriological and biochemical tests of urine, the diagnosis of urinary incontinence is confirmed by a one-hour pad test. In tertiary centres, however, urodynamic tests are used to assess the ability of lower urinary tract to collect, void, and prevent involuntary loss of urine. In more complicated cases urodynamic tests are combined with visual examinations (video cystourethrography and ultrasound). In the diagnostic procedures additional functional examinations are sometimes implemented (measurement of urethral electric conductance, ambulatory cystometry), and in certain cases electromyographic measurements of the pelvic floor muscles.
Conclusions. The diagnosis of urinary incontinence is a complex and technically demanding process, additionally aggravated by the fact that most intimate segments of human anatomy are involved.
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References
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