In SNM therapy, which statement best describes the role of patient diaries?

• A. They provide baseline data only.
• B. They are irrelevant if telemetry is normal.
• C. They contribute to assessing daily symptom patterns and continence improvements.
• D. They replace the need for any clinic visits.

Answer: (C)

Patient diaries in SNM therapy capture the real-world, day-to-day impact of the treatment by recording symptom patterns, leakage episodes, pad use, urgency, and bowel symptoms over time. This longitudinal view shows how continence improves and when symptoms fluctuate, which helps clinicians judge overall effectiveness and decide if programming or counseling needs adjustment. Telemetry can tell you the device is functioning, but diaries reveal the patient’s lived experience and daily outcomes that data alone can’t show. They don’t replace clinic visits or rely on telemetry alone; they complement objective measures and guide ongoing care.