Safety and efficacy of vaginal laser therapy for stress urinary incontinence: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Laser therapy has recently been proposed as a novel treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to offering several advantages. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser treatment of SUI by a meta-analysis. Methods: The systematic review registration number is INPLASY202080001. A comprehensive search to identify relevant studies was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang databases with a cutoff date of 1 November, 2020. Outcome measures were extracted based on subjective and objective indexes, including International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12), and objective measurements “1-hour pad test” (1-hour test under standardized conditions). Score changes before and after treatment were evaluated through meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis was performed according to geographic region, type of urinary incontinence (UI), severity of UI, age, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Sixteen published clinical research studies, involving 899 patients with SUI, were included in this study. After laser treatment, the change in the ICIQ-SF score at 1, 2, and 6 months was −5.49 (95% CI: −6.74–−4.24; I2=91%, P<0.01), −4.97 (95% CI: −6.24–−3.71), and −5.48 (95% CI: −6.15–−4.81), respectively. The improvement in 1-hour pad weight test results at 1, 3, and 12 months post treatment was −5.59 (95% CI: −6.93–−4.25), −4.96 (95% CI: −6.73–−3.20), and −5.82 (95% CI: −6.77–−4.87), respectively. The PISQ-12 score increased by 5.39 (95% CI: 1.20–9.58) following treatment. Subgroup analysis identified the type and severity of UI as the potential source of heterogeneity. Adverse effects were reported in 6 of the 16 trials and affected only a small number of patients. Most adverse events were mild or moderate and required no medical intervention or resolved in a few days. Conclusions: Vaginal laser therapy appears to be a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment option for SUI that can be well tolerated by patients.