The Added Value of Home-Uroflowmetry: Analyzing an Individuals' VV-Qmax Curve and Inflection Point
Gunter De Win1, Matthew Peters2, Jasper Pauwels2
1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Urology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium; Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Adolescent Urology, Department of Urology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
Individual uroflowmetry plots reveal unique voiding patterns, differing from standard nomograms. A new parameter, transitional voided volume (VVtrans), may better reflect bladder function and urethra patency.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Medical Devices
- Physiology
Background:
- Standard uroflowmetry nomograms provide cross-sectional data.
- Individual voiding patterns can exhibit significant intra-individual variability.
- Home uroflowmetry offers potential for more comprehensive data collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze individual voiding volume-maximum flow rate (VV-Qmax) plots from multiple home uroflowmetries.
- To compare these individual plots with established cross-sectional nomograms.
- To identify potential new parameters reflecting bladder function.
Main Methods:
- Healthy volunteers (16-69 years) performed multiple home uroflowmetries using a Minze Homeflow™ device.
- Participants with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or relevant medical history were excluded.
- Individual VV-Qmax scatterplots were analyzed using segmented regression to determine transitional voided volume (VVtrans).
Main Results:
- 104 participants provided 2498 acceptable uroflow measurements.
- Individual VV-Qmax plots did not align with published cross-sectional nomograms.
- Qmax increased with voided volume up to VVtrans (253 mL in men, 214 mL in women), then stabilized.
Conclusions:
- A single uroflowmetry measurement is inadequate for characterizing an individual's voiding pattern.
- The individual VV-Qmax curve and the novel parameter VVtrans may offer insights into bladder function and urethra patency.
- Further clinical evaluation of VVtrans in LUTS scenarios is warranted.
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