Objective Quantification of Detrusor Overactivity Using Spectral Measures of Cystometry Data

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Detrusor overactivity (DO) diagnosis relies on subjective cystometry interpretation.
• Objective, quantitative methods are needed for improved DO detection and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate objective, scalable methods for differentiating DO from non-DO patients.
• To utilize quantitative Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-based spectral measures from routine cystometry data.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of cystometry data (vesical and abdominal pressures) from DO and non-DO (SUI) patients.
• Application of FFT to pressure signals, calculating Spectral Power (SP) and Weighted Average Frequency (WAF).
• Comparison of SP and WAF between Early and Late Fill segments of cystometry.

Main Results:

• DO patients exhibited significantly higher mean SP compared to non-DO patients in both fill segments.
• DO patients showed significantly lower WAF in both Early and Late Fill segments.
• Spectral pressure changes correlated with detrusor contractions, particularly in the Early Fill phase.

Conclusions:

• FFT-derived spectral measures effectively differentiate DO from non-DO patients using standard cystometry.
• This preliminary, scalable method shows potential for clinical DO detection, phenotyping, and therapeutic monitoring.