Open access journal
Role of stem cells in stress urinary incontinence: a systematic review
By Noura Salman Alghamdi, Noor Hussain Almousa, Ismail A. Al‐Badawi and 6 others.
Abstract
Background
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) results from urethral support failure, intrinsic sphincter deficiency, or both, and affected patients seek less invasive options than repeat surgery. Stem-cell therapy restore urethral sphincter structure through myogenic replacement, stromal support, angiogenesis, and paracrine modulation.
Objective
This systematic review evaluated studies on stem-cell and cell-based therapy for SUI, focusing on efficacy, safety, cell source, delivery route, and methodological quality.
Methods
We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to Jan 2026. Eligible studies enrolled humans with SUI or stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence and reported original clinical outcomes after periurethral, transurethral, or intrasphincteric administration of stem-cell-derived or regenerative cell products.