Study Results Show Weight Loss Effective in Improving SUI by 70% A study performed by the Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise (PRIDE) concluded that a decrease in weight of between 5 to 10 percent has significant effects in the improvement of urinary incontinence, say medical experts familiar with the findings. This study may differ from previous researches in that is has targeted a specific range of weight loss which has been determined to be very feasible and one which has demonstrated to be effective in improving other ailments such as heart problems and diabetes.
A total of 338 women with a minimum age of 30 years and body mass index of between 25 to 50, which may be classified as overweight or obese, were recruited for the study. Having at least 10 urinary episodes in a week was another requirement for the participants.
The subjects were divided into two groups with one with a total of 226 patients assigned as the weight loss group and who were to follow an 18-month behavioral weight loss program. The other group was considered the control and these 112 patients were asked to observe a structured educational program for the same period. Assessments were made every six, 12, and 18 months by a staff that was not told of the group assignment of the subjects.
Seven one-hour group education sessions over the study period were given to those under the control group. These sessions were meant to provide the control group with general information about weight reduction, physical activity, and proper eating practices.
It was determined, at the conclusion of the study, that those who experienced a weight reduction of between five percent to less than 10 percent had a significant reduction in urinary incontinence episodes. A reduction of at least 70 percent in frequency of total episodes at six, 12, and 18 months were found to be very likely in these women. Satisfaction level for 75 percent of this group insofar as improvement of their conditions was concerned was very high.
Experts have now considered weight reduction of at least 5 to 10 percent as a primary form of treatment for overweight women suffering from urinary incontinence, based on the positive results of this study. Together with other conservative treatments, this may eliminate the need for more drastic steps such as surgeries using vaginal mesh devices. These devices have caused severe complications to thousands of women which have led to legal actions such as the vaginal mesh lawsuits. You may visit vaginalmeshlawsuitcenter.us for more information.
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ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2877497 nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa080637