The effect of fluid intake on urinary symptoms in women.

PURPOSE We determined the effect of caffeine restriction and fluid manipulation in the treatment of patients with urodynamic stress incontinence and detrusor overactivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a 4-week randomized, prospective, observational crossover study in 110 women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) or idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) to determine the effect of caffeine restriction, and of increasing and decreasing fluid intake on urinary symptoms. Data were recorded in a urinary diary for the entire study period on urgency episodes, frequency, pad weight increase, wetting episodes and quality of life. RESULTS A total of 69 women with a mean age of 54.8 years completed the study, including 39 with USI and 30 with IDO. In the IDO group decreasing fluid intake significantly decreased voiding frequency, urgency and wetting episodes with improved quality of life. In the USI group there was a significant decrease in wetting episodes when fluid intake was decreased. Changing from caffeine containing to decaffeinated drinks produced no improvement in symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Conservative and life-style interventions are first line treatments in the management of incontinence and storage lower urinary tract symptoms. This study shows that a decrease in fluid intake improves some of these symptoms in patients with USI and IDO and, therefore, it should be considered when treating such patients.