Inter-observer reliability of three different methods of measuring urethrovesical mobility

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Female Pelvic Medicine
• Diagnostic Accuracy

Background:

• Urethral mobility assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing female stress urinary incontinence.
• Evaluating the reliability of different diagnostic methods is essential for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the inter-observer reliability of three methods for evaluating urethral mobility: Q-tip test, ultrasonographic measurement, and Sensor-Q test.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 90 women undergoing urogynecological assessment.
• Three procedures (Q-tip test, ultrasound, Sensor-Q) were performed by two blinded urogynecologists.
• Data analyzed using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman methods.

Main Results:

• The Sensor-Q test (correlation coefficient 0.92) and Q-tip test (0.83) showed high inter-observer reliability.
• Ultrasonographic measurement demonstrated lower reliability (0.43).
• Sensor-Q and Q-tip tests were more reliable than ultrasound for assessing urethral mobility.

Conclusions:

• The Sensor-Q test and Q-tip test are reliable methods for evaluating urethral mobility in women.
• Ultrasonographic measurement shows lower inter-observer reliability in this context.
• These findings can guide the selection of appropriate diagnostic tools in urogynecology.