EVALUATION OF FACTORS OF FEMALE URINARY-INCONTINENCE AND THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS

A good understanding of the factors involved in female urinary incontinence is essential for the therapeutic management of incontinent women. Urinary stress incontinence involves three variables which participate in the pressure equilibrium during effort : mobility of the urethrovesical junction, urethral resistance and the intensity of effort. The most appropriate treatment for each patient can only be selected by investigating all three of these factors and by determining their respective roles in incontinence. Urge incontinence is also multifactorial, but, very often, no cause can be found on the aetiological assessment, leading to the diagnosis of idiopathic instability. The factors of detrusor motor instability are discussed and their aetiological treatment is proposed.