Associations among urodynamic findings and symptoms in women enrolled in the Interstitial Cystitis Data Base (ICDB)...

The goal of this study was to correlate the cystometric findings with the presenting symptoms of the 388 women enrolled in the NIH/NIDDK-funded interstitial Cystitis Data Base (ICDB) Study as of December 31, 1995.

All patients underwent a complete history and physical and completed standardized questionnaires to assess voiding symptoms and quality of life (QOL). A 3-day voiding log was also obtained, followed by a baseline urodynamic exam. All results are expressed as mean values +/- 1 standard deviation, and all reported correlations were significant.

A correlation was seen between reported daytime, nighttime, and 24-hour frequency, and both volume at first sensation to void (VFSV) and maximal cystometric capacity (VMCC). Patients with constant severe urgency had smaller VFSV, 63 +/- 59 mL versus 108 +/- 90 mL, and lower VMCC, 163 +/- 102 mL versus 288 +/- 135 mL, than patients without the complaint. A negative trend was seen for both VFSV and VMCC versus the global severity. An inverse trend was seen between minimal and maximal pain scores over the 4 weeks before the exam and VMCC. (No correlation existed between current pain noted during baseline screening visits and VFSV or VMCC). No urodynamics correlates were seen with global measures of body pain and global health. Uninhibited detrusor contractions (UDCs) were seen in 56 of 384 patients (14.6%). A positive correlation was seen between urgency symptoms and the presence of UDCs. Correlations between the VFSV and VMCC were made with both the average voided volume (AVV) and the average maximal voided volume (AMVV) as determined by a 3-day voiding log. Significant positive correlations were seen with each pair-wise comparison (P = 0.001).

These findings confirm that subjective measurements of symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis can be confirmed objectively with urodynamic studies.