Agreement between Clinical Methods of Measurement of Urinary Frequency and Functional Bladder Capacity

Abstract

We assessed the agreement between 2 methods of data gathering of particular interest in urology: patient questionnaire and examination vs. frequency-volume charts. One hundred consecutive patients consulting our out-patient clinic were chosen for this study; 88 completed the study. Urinary frequency and bladder capacity were evaluated in each patient by using the above methods. The agreement between different methods of measurement was assessed by determining whether the 2 methods were interchangeable, a condition occurring if results of both methods fall within predetermined limits of variability. The results showed poor agreement between subjectively estimated urinary frequency and chart-determined urinary frequency. Moreover, different methods of measuring bladder capacity (endoscopic vs. chart) gave different results. Since chart-determined data are probably a more valid indication of urinary habits, we suggest that frequency-volume charts should be used more often in the investigation and follow-up of patients with micturition disorders.

Frequency‐volume charts: A tool to evaluate bladder sensation

“…The higher mean voided volume and the lower frequency found by Larsson and Ramstr˛m also ¢t this hypothesis. The disparity in inclusion and de¢nitions may account for the apparently di¡erent distribution of the sensation related voidings between the two studies.The results in Table III provide clear evidence to what has been numerously speculated before, that in everyday life the bladder is not used to its full extent and voiding most frequently occurs without desire [McCormack et al, 1992;Palnaes Hansen and Klarskov, 1998;Fink et al, 1999]. These results also show that an urgent desire to void (grade 4) cannot be considered as a normal sensation.…”

“…However, the accuracy of the volume measurement during cystometry has been questioned because of the unphysiological method of testing. It has been shown that cystometric bladder capacity can be up to twice the value recorded on frequencyvolume charts [Diokno et al, 1987;McCormack et al, 1992]. None of these studies correlated the grade of perception of bladder fullness to the volumes recorded on frequency-volume charts.…”

Analysis and Reliability of Data from 24–Hour Frequency–Volume Charts in Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…In 95 older people (age 72±5.3 years), Asplund and Åberg [10]found a mean voided volume at night of 256±113 ml (versus 222±101 ml in our group) and a mean voided volume in the daytime of 188±86 ml (versus 188±77 ml in our group). McCormack et al [3]assessed the agreement between patient questionnaire and frequency–volume charts in 88 patients. They found a mean diurnal voided volume of 176±64 ml and a mean voided volume at night of 233±130 ml.…”

“…Hansen and Klarskov [2]reported that recordings on frequency–volume charts are valid. McCormack et al [3]assessed the agreement between patient questionnaire and frequency–volume charts. They reported a poor agreement between patient questionnaire– and chart–determined urinary frequency, suggesting that a frequency–volume chart shows a more valid indication of urinary habits, than the patient questionnaire itself.…”

Mild dehydration: a risk factor of urinary tract infection?

“…In questionnaires the levels of fluid consumption were consistently underestimated. The same is true for subjectively estimated urinary frequency compared with chart-determined urinary frequency (McCormack et al, 1992). Considering these methodic biases, the low number of studies, and the small patient groups, the results of the available clinical studies do not prove a significant effect of hydration status on the susceptibility to UTI.…”