Urodynamic leak point pressures weakly correlate with subjective urinary incontinence severity

Objective To evaluate preoperative abdominal leak point pressures (ALPP) with pre‐ and postoperative Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) scores. Methods A review of women who underwent a midurethral sling procedure between August 2004 and April 2006 was conducted. Eligible women completed preoperative urodynamic testing with ALPP determination and subjective incontinence severity assessment using the ISI before and 6 weeks after surgery. The ISI and ALPP relationship was analyzed using a Spearman rank correlation (Rho). Results Ninety‐nine women met the inclusion criteria. Mean ALPP was 77.7 (25–172 cm H 2 O). Mean improvement in ISI following surgery was 4 (− 8 to 12). ALPP correlated with preoperative ISI (Spearman Rho − 0.28, P = 0.01), preoperative leakage frequency (ISI question 1) (Spearman Rho − 0.32, P = 0.001), and the ISI change 6 weeks postoperatively (ISI‐delta) (Spearman Rho − 0.23, P = 0.002). Conclusion ALPP is associated with subjective incontinence severity. Women with the lowest ALPP improved most following a midurethral sling procedure.