Time until maximum flow rate uroflowmetry: A new parameter for predicting failure of transcutaneous electrical nerve...

To analyze uroflowmetry as a predictor of the outcome of treatment with parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with pure overactive bladder.

Thirty-eight patients of 5-16 years of age were included in this prospective cohort study. All the patients had been seen at a referral clinic between 2006 and 2015. All had a diagnosis of pure overactive bladder and were treated with TENS. Parameters established at pretreatment uroflowmetry were evaluated, with patients then being separated into two groups based on their visual analogue scale (VAS) score immediately following TENS. The variables analyzed at uroflowmetry were: maximum flow rate, curve pattern (bell or tower-shaped), time until maximum flow and voided volume.

The mean age of the children evaluated was 7.26 years (SD: 2.62) (95%CI: 6.4-8.13) and 73.7% were girls. No association was found between maximum flow rate, curve pattern (bell or tower-shaped) or voided volume and the complete resolution of symptoms following treatment. Nevertheless, a shorter time until maximum flow was associated with a greater likelihood of treatment failure.

The time until maximum flow rate before treatment is a potential predictor of the outcome of TENS treatment.