Associations of Psychometric Affective Parameters with Urodynamic Investigation for Urinary Frequency

To assess an association between affective symptoms and conventional urodynamic results in a pilot study.

The study represents a retrospective analysis of prospectively obtained clinical data, voiding diaries, urodynamic parameters and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

A total of 74 patients with urinary frequency attending a multidisciplinary pelvic care centre was included in this study. There was a significant association between the total HADS scores and presence of DO (P = 0.019). In addition, results showed an association between HADS anxiety scores (≥8) and Detrusor Overactivity (DO) (P = 0.018) and between HADS depression scores (≥8) and the feeling of urgency (P = 0.028). Comparative analysis showed differences in age, mean voiding volume, bladder capacity and strong desire between patients with DO and those without.

This pilot study revealed an association between psychometric parameters and urodynamic results indicating a common pathway of bladder function and affective complaints. Further research is needed to elucidate which parts of the bladder-brain axis are involved and how these parts correspond by means of urodynamics.