Decreasing Number of Urodynamics in Urological and Gynaecological Clinics Reflects Decreased Importance for Surgical...

The routine use of urodynamic studies (UDS) has been questioned. Additionally, the material and personnel costs are poorly remunerated. We aimed to analyse the UDS utilization in Germany.

We analysed UDS performed by hospitals based on quality reports from 2013 to 2019. A representative sample of 4 million insured persons was used to estimate outpatient UDS utilization from 2013 to 2018.

There was an overall decrease of 14% in UDS in Germany from 2013 to 2018 (60,980 to 52,319; p = 0.003). In the outpatient sector, there was a slight non-continuous drop of 11% from 34,551 to 30,652 from 2013 to 2018 (p = 0.06). UDS utilization in hospitals decreased by 26% from 26,429 in 2013 to 19,453 in 2019 (p = 0.004). University hospitals showed a smaller decrease (3,007 to 2,685; p = 0.02). In urology, the number of UDS (11,758 to 6,409; p < 0.001) and the number of performing departments (328 to 263 clinics; p < 0.001) decreased. Gynaecological departments also showed a decrease in UDS (1,861 to 866; p < 0.001) and performing departments (159 to 68; p < 0.001). However, in paediatrics, there was an increase in UDS (1,564 to 2,192; p = 0.02). By age, the number of children remained constant (1,371 to 1,252; p = 0.2), but there was a strong decrease seen in 60- to 79-year-olds (9,792 to 5,564; p < 0.001).

UDS appear to be less important in the indication for surgery. Despite high resource expenditure and low remuneration, the decrease in urodynamics in the outpatient sector is less pronounced, indicating a trend to perform UDS in an outpatient setting.