Voiding dysfunction in older women with overactive bladder symptoms: A comparison of urodynamic parameters between...

To compare urodynamic parameters in two groups of older women who have overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms: those with normal and those with elevated post-void residual (PVR).

Secondary data analyses were conducted on medical record data from 203 women who were 65 years or older and who completed urodynamic testing. Of these, 151 (74%) medical records met the study criteria. A PVR of 100 ml or greater during the pressure-flow study was considered elevated for this study. Maximal flow rate (Qmax ) and detrusor pressure at Qmax , bladder capacity, voiding volume, and voiding pattern were compared between these two groups.

The mean Qmax and detrusor pressure at Qmax were 19.63 ml/sec (SD = 8.74) and 16.15 cmH2 O (SD = 11.19) for the overall sample, respectively. The elevated PVR group (n = 54) had significantly higher detrusor pressure at Qmax and bladder capacity than the normal PVR group (n = 97) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). An interrupted voiding pattern accounted for 47.4% of the normal PVR group and 77.4% of the elevated PVR group, respectively (P < 0.01).

Older women with an elevated PVR required on average a higher detrusor pressure at Qmax and greater bladder capacity than women with a normal PVR. Although an interrupted voiding pattern was more prevalent in the elevated PVR group, many women in the normal PVR group also had an interrupted voiding pattern. These findings indicate that many women may habitually strain to void as well as strain due to inadequate detrusor function.