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Frequency-volume chart data from incontinent children
W F Bower1, K H Moore, R D Adams
1Western Sydney Continence & Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Service, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Insights
Voiding patterns in incontinent children aged 6-11 years show wide variation. Age significantly impacts voided volumes, but gender and incontinence type do not, according to frequency-volume chart data.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Clinical Research
- Bladder Function
Background:
- Urinary incontinence is common in children, affecting their quality of life.
- Frequency-volume charts (FVC) are essential tools for assessing voiding patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the mean and standard deviation of voiding variables in incontinent children aged 6-11 years.
- To analyze the influence of incontinence type, gender, and age on these voiding parameters.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 3 years of routine FVC assessments at two continence clinics.
- Voided volume and voiding interval data analyzed for mean maximum, mean minimum, and overall mean values.
- Multivariate analysis performed to identify influencing factors.
Main Results:
- Voiding patterns in incontinent children exhibit significant variability with large standard deviations.
- Child's age was the only significant factor influencing voided volume parameters.
- Gender and type of incontinence (day vs. nocturnal) did not affect bladder storage patterns.
Conclusions:
- Voided volumes and their standard deviations vary widely among incontinent children.
- Age is the primary determinant of voiding volume trends in this population.
- High variability necessitates consideration of standard deviation in sample size calculations for FVC studies in children.
Objective:
To establish the mean and standard deviation about the mean for voiding variables of incontinent children aged 6-11 years as measured on a frequency-volume chart (FVC), and to determine the effect of type of incontinence, gender and age on these values.
Patients And Methods:
All children attending two continence clinics over a 3-year period completed a FVC as a routine part of their assessment. Voided volume and voiding interval data were collected from these charts. The mean maximum, mean minimum and overall mean voided volume and voiding interval were established for the whole group and then for each age, gender and type of incontinence.
Results:
The voiding patterns of incontinent children were very variable and thus the standard deviation for each voiding parameter was large. Multivariate analysis showed that the only variable that affected any of these apparent storage parameters was the child's age; gender and type of incontinence did not influence bladder storage patterns. Children with day-time incontinence did not have smaller voided volumes than those with nocturnal enuresis.
Conclusion:
Both the mean and the standard deviation about the mean of all voided volumes varied widely amongst incontinent children. Only age appeared to influence trends in voided volumes. Any clinical investigation using the FVC in children should consider the high standard deviation when calculating sample size.