Secondary changes in bowel function after successful treatment of voiding symptoms with neuromodulation

Aims Expanded indications for neuromodulation are continually being explored. We evaluated secondary changes in bowel function after successful neuromodulation for voiding symptoms. Methods Patients in our prospective neuromodulation database study with comorbid irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation and/or diarrhea, or fecal incontinence (FI) at baseline were evaluated. Pre- and 3, 6, and 12 months post-operative measures included Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Problem Index (ICSI-PI), bowel diaries (assessing bowel movement frequency; constipation, diarrhea, and FI episodes), and scaled global response assessments (GRA) (“markedly worse” to “markedly improved” bowel function). Results Most patients reporting secondary bowel problems (128/199; 64.3%) were female (89%; mean age 56 ± 15.4 years). Primary voiding complaints were urgency/frequency (U/F) with or without urinary incontinence (n = 74), interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS; n = 43), and urinary retention (n = 11). Secondary bowel complaints included constipation and/or diarrhea (49%), IBS (27%), and FI (23%). Urinary (ICSI-PI) scores improved after treatment (P