Utilizing Bladder Diaries to Prevent Unnecessary Treatment in Patients With Storage Dysfunction: A Retrospective...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Patient-reported outcomes

Background:

• Frequency-volume charts (FVC) or bladder diaries (BD) are diagnostic tools for lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Patients may improve and opt out of further treatment after BD use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify characteristics of patients who do not desire treatment after BD recording.
• To assess changes in storage symptoms post-BD recording.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 75 patients completing a three-day BD.
• Patients divided into two groups: desired treatment vs. no longer desired treatment.
• Comparison of patient background, BD data, OABSS, and ICIQ-UI SF scores.

Main Results:

• 36.0% of patients did not desire treatment post-BD.
• These patients had lower daytime/nighttime frequency, fewer leaks, less nocturia, and lower baseline OABSS/ICIQ-UI SF scores.
• A baseline OABSS total score of 6 points or less predicted not desiring treatment.

Conclusions:

• Bladder diary recording identified a significant proportion of patients with mild storage symptoms who did not require further intervention.
• Patients with mild symptoms (OABSS ≤ 6) may avoid unnecessary treatment through BD use.
• BDs can help tailor treatment plans and manage patient expectations in outpatient settings.