Valsalva urethral profile (VUP): A urodynamic measure to assess stress urinary incontinence in women.

AIMS: We aimed to assess the value of the Valsalva urethral profile (VUP) in case of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: Six hundred and ninety-four women without pelvic organ prolapse were included in this prospective monocentric study. SUI was diagnosed from symptoms using the International Continence Society definition, and severity using two validated questionnaires (USP and ICIQ-SF). The urodynamic parameters studied were maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and functional length (FL). Both were performed at rest, during a Valsalva maneuver (v-MUCP and v-FL) and again at rest. Correlation analyses and ROC curves were used to assess the value of the clinical and urodynamic measurements. RESULTS: In our population, based on the questionnaires, 172 (24.8%) women were diagnosed with pure SUI on symptoms, 71 (10.2%) with urgency urinary incontinence and 392 (56.5%) with mixed urinary incontinence; 59 (8.5%) women were continent. The v-MUCP was the most correlated parameter to the severity of SUI (ρ: -0.63) and the most predictive of SUI risk, with a threshold value of 35 cm H2 O (Se = 0.82, Sp = 0.86). The v-FL was significantly shortened in case of SUI. CONCLUSIONS: The v-MUCP and v-FL are global measurements of urethral resistance during stress. With a threshold value of 35 cm H2 O, the v-MUCP was the most discriminating parameter for the diagnosis of SUI, with a good reliability.

Urethral Closure Pressure at Stress: A Predictive Measure for the Diagnosis and Severity of Urinary Incontinence in Women.

PURPOSE: Maintaining urinary continence at stress requires a competent urethral sphincter and good suburethral support. Sphincter competence is estimated by measuring the maximal urethral closure pressure at rest. We aimed to study the value of a new urodynamic measure, the urethral closure pressure at stress (s-UCP), in the diagnosis and severity of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A total of 400 women without neurological disorders were included in this observational study. SUI was diagnosed using the International Continence Society definition, and severity was assessed using a validated French questionnaire, the Mesure du Handicap Urinaire. The perineal examination consisted of rating the strength of the levator ani muscle (0-5) and an assessment of bladder neck mobility using point Aa (cm). The urodynamic parameters were maximal urethral closure pressure at rest, s-UCP, Valsalva leak point pressure (cm H2O), and pressure transmission ratio (%). RESULTS: Of the women, 358 (89.5%) were diagnosed with SUI. The risk of SUI significantly increased as s-UCP decreased (odds ratio [OR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.98). The discriminative value of the measure was good for the diagnosis of SUI (area under curve>0.80). s-UCP values less than or equal to 20 cm H2O had a sensitivity of 73.1% and a specificity of 93.0% for predicting SUI. The association between s-UCP and SUI severity was also significant. CONCLUSIONS: s-UCP is the most discriminative measure that has been identified for the diagnosis of SUI. It is strongly inversely correlated with the severity of SUI. It appears to be a specific SUI biomarker reflecting both urethral sphincter competence and urethral support.

Diagnosis and management of adult female stress urinary incontinence: guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians.

Urinary incontinence is a frequent affliction in women and may be disabling and costly {LE1}. When consulting for urinary incontinence, it is recommended that circumstances, frequency and severity of leaks be specified {Grade B}. The cough test is recommended prior to surgery {Grade C}. Urodynamic investigations are not needed before lower urinary tract rehabilitation {Grade B}. A complete urodynamic investigation is recommended prior to surgery for urinary incontinence {Grade C}. In cases of pure stress urinary incontinence, urodynamic investigations are not essential prior to surgery provided the clinical assessment is fully comprehensive (standardised questionnaire, cough test, bladder diary, post-void residual volume) with concordant results {PC}. It is recommended to start treatment for stress incontinence with pelvic floor muscle training {Grade C}. Bladder training is recommended at first intention in cases with overactive bladder syndrome {Grade C}. For overweight patients, loss of weight improves stress incontinence {LE1}. For surgery, sub-urethral tape (retropubic or transobturator route) is the first-line recommended technique {Grade B}. Sub-urethral tape surgery involves intraoperative risks, postoperative risks and a risk of failure which must be the subject of prior information {Grade A}. Elective caesarean section and systematic episiotomy are not recommended methods of prevention for urinary incontinence {Grade B}. Pelvic floor muscle training is the treatment of first intention for pre- and postnatal urinary incontinence {Grade A}. Prior to any treatment for an elderly woman, it is recommended to screen for urinary infection using a test strip, ask for a bladder diary and measure post-void residual volume {Grade C}. It is recommended to carry out a cough test and look for occult incontinence prior to surgery for pelvic organ prolapse {Grade C}. It is recommended to carry out urodynamic investigations prior to pelvic organ prolapse surgery when there are urinary symptoms or occult urinary incontinence {Grade C}.

Bladder sensitivity testing using a visual analogue scale: comparative cystometric study on women.

AIMS: To obtain improved assessment of bladder sensitivity during cystometry by using a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS), and comparing it with the standard method according to the International Continence Society (ICS). METHODS: Twenty-five patients with presumed normal bladder functioning underwent filling cystometries according to the VAS-based method and to the standard method. The order of the cystometries was set by randomization. The relationships between the bladder sensation using the VAS-based method and the volume of bladder perfusion were analyzed graphically. Various parameters were abstracted and compared to those obtained by the standard method. Correlations were searched for by principal component analysis. RESULTS: All the curves showed continuous progression of the desire to void. Eighteen of the 25 curves (72%) had a characteristic appearance, showing a latency phase with no perception of any bladder sensation, then a second phase with linear increase of the desire to void. The latency phase corresponded to the first sensation of bladder filling (226.3 ml +/- 169.1 vs. 200.0 ml +/- 143.1, r = 0.9). The progression in desire measured by the VAS method culminated in a sensation of maximum tolerable desire to void, which corresponded to the maximum cystometric capacity (MCC; 497.3 +/- 191.2 vs. 517.4 +/- 196.7, r = 0.9). The slope of the linear regression line for the desire to void constitutes an independent parameter. CONCLUSIONS: VAS reveals that the distinct sensations with the standard method are in fact a single sensation of a desire to void that increases continually during filling.