Predictive value of obstructive voiding symptoms and objective bladder emptying tests for urinary retention

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Urology
• Pelvic Floor Disorders

Background:

• Voiding dysfunction is a common complaint among women presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Accurate diagnosis of urinary retention is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of voiding dysfunction using various diagnostic methods in women with lower urinary tract symptoms.
• To evaluate the diagnostic sufficiency of different tests for identifying urinary retention.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 95 women with lower urinary tract symptoms attending a urogynaecology clinic were assessed.
• Prevalence was measured using the Korean version of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI), uroflowmetry, pressure flow studies, and post-void residual urine volume measurements.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of voiding dysfunction varied significantly by method: 47.4% (PFDI), 33.7% (uroflowmetry), 20.2% (pressure flow study), and 11.6% (post-void residual).
• Positive predictive values for high post-void residuals were low across all tested methods (0.16-0.29).

Conclusions:

• Voiding dysfunction is prevalent in women with lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Current subjective questionnaires and objective tests are insufficient for diagnosing urinary retention alone.