Strong correlation between standing cough test and 24‐hour pad weights in the evaluation of male stress urinary incontinence

AIMS: We sought to compare in-office physical exam findings via standing cough test (SCT) versus 24-hour pad weights among men seeking treatment for postprostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A retrospective review of a single surgeon database of incontinence procedures was performed. Documentation of SUI severity (grades 0-4) was completed by SCT preoperatively utilizing the Male Stress Incontinence Grading Scale (MSIGS). All patients had pads per day (PPD) and 24-hour pad weights obtained. We determined the Spearman's correlation coefficient between these variables. RESULTS: We identified 104 men who underwent anti-incontinence surgery (AdVance Sling or artificial urinary sphincter [AUS]). In the sling group (65 patients), nearly all (97%) had minimal incontinence with SCT (MSIGS = 0-2). In the AUS group (39 patients), most patients (69%) had an MSIGS 3 or 4 with SCT. Spearman's coefficient between quantification of SCT and pad weight for the overall group was rho = .68 (P < .0001) demonstrating a strong positive correlation. PPD was also strongly correlated with pad weight (rho = .55, P < .0001). As seen previously, SCT and PPD were correlated (rho = .47, P < .0001). In a multivariable model predicting pad weight, the effect of SCT was greater than PPD (beta = 83 [54-111], P < .0001 vs 45 [2169], P = .0004). CONCLUSIONS: SCT findings strongly correlate to 24-hour pad weights in the evaluation of male SUI. The SCT shows promise as a rapid, reliable, noninvasive measure of SUI severity before anti-incontinence surgery.