Incontinence 5th Edition 2013
Preface
The 5th International Consultation on Incontinence
was held in Paris in February 2012, made
possible by the generous support of the European Association of Urology. The four previous ICI Consultations were held as stand-alone
meetings. However, by holding the 5th ICI during the annual meeting of EAU this made possible
the attendance of a wider range of participants
than had previously occurred.
The 23 committees included almost 200 experts
from every corner of the globe: all selected according
to their pre-eminence in their topic
area within the overall subject in incontinence.
The committees prepared their chapters making
full use of modern technology and in particular
email discussions. Hence they arrived at the 5th ICI with their committees’ work in final draft.
The principle of the Consultation is to present the final draft to a wider audience and then to
finalize the chapter following the discussions at the Consultation.
The 1st Consultation occurred in 1998 and since then the scope had gradually broadened so that,
once again this year, the Consultation included faecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, bladder
pain syndrome and obstetric fistula.
Whilst some conditions afflict either men or women, many conditions affect both sexes. The ICUD
also held a Consultation in 2012 on Male Urinary Tract Symptoms and consideration could be
given to combining these Consultations in the next cycle. Both Consultations deal with functional
pelvic disorders, usually of a benign nature, although some patient’s problems emanate from treatment
of malignancy, for example, stress incontinence after a radical prostatectomy for prostate
cancer. However, the principles of management are similar in both men and women, in most conditions.
It is of interest that there is increasing discussion of a new speciality that combines female
urology, urogynaecology and benign coloproctology.
This book, produced by the huge efforts of the 23 committees has once again vigorously examined
and summarised the latest scientific evidence, and remains a unique publication and reference
source. The reference source is invaluable to all those who commit their professional lives to men
and women suffering from these often miserable conditions. The conditions we deal with are not
“glamorous” medicine and remain “Cinderella” subjects. However, we have seen the emphasis
move towards measuring outcomes by assessing improved quality of life. As the population ages
then maintaining or improving quality of life in the latest stages of all our lives will attract greater
attention. Hence the work of the ICI remains vitally important to the many millions of women and
men who suffer from these conditions.
Paul Abrams, Chairman of the 5th International Consultation on Incontinence.
November 2012
The Editors
Paul Abrams, Linda Cardozo, Saad Khoury, Alan Wein
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