Bladder compliance what does it represent: can we measure it, and is it clinically relevant?

To report the conclusion of the Think Thank 8 on Compliance Discussions during the second ICI-RS meeting in 2010.

During a 3-day meeting a group of specialists discussed bladder compliance, what it represents, how it can be measured and if it is clinically relevant.

Bladder compliance is the result of a mathematical calculation of the volume required for a unit rise of pressure measured during a cystometric filling. It gives an indication on how the different mechanisms in the bladder wall react on stretching. There is a need of standardization of measurement and suggestions for this are given in the text. Pitfalls are described and how to avoid them. There is a wide range of compliance values in healthy volunteers and groups of patients. Poor compliance needs to be defined better as it can have significant clinical consequences. Prevention and treatment are discussed.

If compliance is correctly measured and interpreted, it has importance in urodynamic testing and gives information relevant for clinical management.