Validation of a real-time urodynamic measure of urinary sensation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and validity of a continuous measurement of urinary sensation during cystometry.

Study Design: Subjects continuously recorded their level of urinary sensation during cystometry with the use of urodynamic diagnoses and responses to the Medical Epidemiologic and Social Aspects of Aging (MESA) and Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI) scales. Trends in urinary sensation recordings by increasing percentage of maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) were captured and compared with the use of growth curves.

Results: Fifty-one women participated: 18 patients had detrusor overactivity incontinence (DOI); 15 patients had urodynamic stress incontinence; 9 patients had mixed incontinence, and 9 patients did not demonstrate incontinence. In the volume range between 35% and 75% of MCC, the mean sensation level was higher in the DOI group than the other groups (P < .04). Urge sensation at 50% of MCC correlated with UDI and MESA urge subscales (rho = 0.34, p < .03 and rho = 0.39, p < .02).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the Urgeometer measurement is feasible and correlates with urodynamic diagnosis and the severity and bother from urge incontinence.