Sacral neuromodulation for symptomatic chronic urinary retention in females: do age and comorbidities make a difference?

High, Rachel A, William Winkelman, Joseph Panza, Derrick J Sanderson, Hyde Yuen, Gabriela E Halder, Courtney Shaver, Erin T Bird, Rebecca G Rogers, and Jill M Danford. 2021. “Sacral Neuromodulation for Symptomatic Chronic Urinary Retention in Females: Do Age and Comorbidities Make a Difference?”. International Urogynecology Journal 32 (10): 2703-15.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate if age and medical comorbidities are associated with progression to implantation of sacral neuromodulation devices in women with symptomatic chronic urinary retention.

METHODS: This multisite retrospective cohort included women with symptomatic chronic urinary retention who had a trial phase of sacral neuromodulation. The primary outcome was progression to implantation. Post-implantation outcomes were assessed as stable response versus decreased efficacy. A sub-analysis of catheter-reliant (intermittent-self catheterization or indwelling) patients was performed. Age was analyzed by 10-year units (decades of age). Multivariate logistic regression determined odds ratios for outcomes of implantation and for post-implantation stable response.

RESULTS: Implantation occurred in 86% (243/284) women across six academic institutions. Most patients (160/243, 66%) were catheter reliant at the time of trial phase. Increased decade of age was associated with reduced implantation in all women [OR 0.54 (95% CI 0.42, 0.70)] and in the subgroup of catheter-reliant women [OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.37, 0.73)]. Post-implantation stable response occurred in 68% (193/243) of women at median follow-up of 2 years (range 0.3-15 years). Medical comorbidities present at the time of trials did not impact progression to implantation or post-implantation success.

CONCLUSIONS: Increasing decade of age is associated with reduced implantation in women with symptomatic chronic urinary retention. There is no age cutoff at which outcomes change. Post-implantation stable response was not associated with age or medical comorbidities.

Last updated on 01/11/2026
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