The symptomatic characterization of patients with detrusor instability and those with genuine stress incontinence

The histories of 100 patients with detrusor instability and 100 with genuine stress incontinence were studied to define the symptomatology of these two conditions, looking particularly at certain areas which had not been reported previously, namely the severity of incontinence and its relationship to the menstrual cycle. By using a scoring system for the four most significant symptoms, as determined by logistic regression analysis, a model was constructed in an effort to more accurately predict the diagnosis from history alone. Frequency, urgency and nocturia scored together, and urge incontinence were significantly associated with detrusor instability. The frequency of urinary leakage and the amount of protection required were significantly associated with genuine stress incontinence. By scoring these four sets of symptoms alone, it is predicted from the logistic model constructed that the diagnosis can be correctly made from the history in 76% of cases.