Observations on the function of the female urethra: II: Relation between maximum urethral closure pressure at rest and the degree of urethral incompetence

Abstract

This study demonstrates that there is a highly significant relationship between MUCP and between all grades of urethral incompetence. This supports previous observations that MUCP decreases when abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) is low and that this might be secondary to some mechanical failure in the pressure transmission from the abdominal cavity to the urethra. Studies should never compare continent to incontinent cohorts without considering their ALPP because in doing so they are comparing groups that are functionally heterogeneous.

Observations on the function of the female urethra: III: An overview with special reference to the relation between urethral hypermobility and urethral incompetence

“…MUCP also decreases with aggravation of urethral incompetence, i.e., decrease in CLPP [Schick et al, 2003b]. The degree of urethral incompetence is the clinical manifestation of faulty transmission of abdominal pressure to the proximal urethra.…”

“…In the second part of the study [Schick et al, 2003b], we analyzed the relationship between MUCP and the degree of urethral incompetence, which is synonymous with abdominal (cough) leak point pressure (CLPP). This study demonstrated that MUCP decreases signi¢cantly, parallel to the increase in urethral incompetence.…”