Correlation between the 1-hour and 24-hour pad test in the assessment of male patients with post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence

Summary Introduction This study is aimed at studying the correlation between the 1-hour and 24-hour pad tests for urinary incontinence following prostatectomy; the second objective is to check whether the severity level established by both tests is adequate for male urinary incontinence. Material and methods The study population includes patients who had undergone prostatectomy at a single center between February 2015 and December 2016, using 159 measurements consisting of 24-hour and 1-hour pad tests, belonging 45 patients. Both tests have been performed according to the protocol standardized by the International Continence Society. Once all the data have been obtained, the levels marked by each of the pads have been established, and the statistical analysis has started. Results The relationship between the amounts recorded in grams by the two test is highly significant ( P  = 0.000), however, when comparing the incontinence levels established by each test (mild, moderate and severe), discrepancies have been found. The median of the severe cases in the 24-hour pad test was 389.5 grams, and in the 1-hour pad test was 92 grams. So, patient's loss values are well above the cut-off point defined for severe urinary incontinence in both 24-hour (50 grams) and 1-hour pad test (75 grams). Conclusions There is a diagnostic discrepancy between the 24-hour pad test and the 1-hour pad test in terms of defined urinary incontinence severity levels. In our opinion, these levels should be redefined for male urinary incontinence since the amount of urine loss is well above the threshold established for severe incontinence. Level of evidence 4.