Urodynamic characteristics of lower urinary tract of patients with idiopathic overactive bladder

The aims of this study were to determine the frequency and clinical significance of individual urodynamic signs, which revealed on the basis of the results of comprehensive urodynamic examination of patients with the idiopathic overactive bladder (IOAB), to produce definitions of these features, and to describe any necessary remedial action.

To identify the most common features and artifacts, we conducted a combined urodynamic examination of 137 patients with IOAB (105 women and 32 men). Age, comorbidities, and urodynamic parameters were analyzed to determine the association between bladder sensation and contractility.

It was found that most patients suffer from the same type of bladder function impairment, often related to the decrease in the average effective capacity of the bladder, frequent urination, urgency urination, and urgent urinary incontinence events. Imperative nature of urination in patients with IOAB leads to the reduction maximum cystometric capacity in 75.9% of patients, increased bladder sensitivity threshold in 70.8%, detrusor overactivity in 35.8%, change in bladder compliance in 43.1%, and urethral instability in 24.8% of patients.

Decreased ability of the bladder to accumulate and hold the urine under the normal or low intravesical pressure and frequent association of bladder instability with signs of obstructive urination are major peculiarities of the impaired urodynamics of the lower urinary tract in patients with IOAB.