Continence products: Research priorities to improve the lives of people with urinary and/or fecal leakage

Abstract

Although many successful treatments for incontinence exist they are not effective or suitable for all people. Inconspicuous and dependable management with continence products and devices plays a crucial part in maintaining quality of life. We aim to briefly review what is known and not known in the field of continence products and devices and set out suggested priorities for research and development. The field of continence product research encompasses techniques and designs from basic laboratory science, through to clinical trials of products and to evaluations of service delivery models. Priorities for research include determining prevalence and costs of product use, development of patient reported outcomes, and development of methods for measuring skin health and for quantifying urine/faecal leakage. Product development priorities include better washable pads for women, absorbent products for fecal incontinence and flatus filters. Clinical trials of different product categories (e.g., devices for men) are needed, as are qualitative studies of patient experiences of product use.

Managing Faecal INcontinence in people with advanced dementia resident in Care Homes (FINCH) study: a realist synthesis of the evidence

“…ability to stand, ability to toilet independently and sex) and preferences. [115][116][117][118][119][120] However, these attributes and preferences do not consider issues directly related to how dementia affects the person's continence. These designs may also be cost-effective in different settings [e.g.…”

Enhanced Absorbent Products Incorporating Cellulose and Its Derivatives: A Review

“…In general, the design of new highly absorbent products to better meet the needs of consumers must take account of such issues as compact dimensions, dependability of performance, and health effects (Fader et al 2010). As one looks to the future development of sorbent products, typical sorbent performance measurements will remain important.…”

Diagnosis and office-based treatment of urinary incontinence in adults. Part two: treatment

“…For patients it is of the utmost importance to their quality of life that these products are inconspicuous and dependable [Fader et al 2010;Teunissen et al 2009]. Among adults with incontinence 60 years and older living in the community, 87% of women utilize pads to manage their incontinence, with 50% using menstrual type pads rather than incontinence specific pads.…”

“…Among adults with incontinence 60 years and older living in the community, 87% of women utilize pads to manage their incontinence, with 50% using menstrual type pads rather than incontinence specific pads. In clinical trials women with more severe incontinence significantly prefer disposable 'pull-up' style to other designs and none of the washable designs were deemed acceptable [Fader et al 2010]. In contrast, only 15% of incontinent men in the community use any absorbent product and they tend to use absorbent pads designed for women or self-constructed reusable pads made of towels [Teunissen et al 2009].…”

“…In contrast, only 15% of incontinent men in the community use any absorbent product and they tend to use absorbent pads designed for women or self-constructed reusable pads made of towels [Teunissen et al 2009]. Men commonly find pads 'babyish' or 'feminine' which may explain their reluctance to use these products [Fader et al 2010]. In clinical trials, men prefer regular disposable diapers and disposable T-shaped diapers over pads with respect to urine leakage and staying in place during the day.…”