Frequency/volume chart: the basic tool for investigating urinary symptoms.
BACKGROUND
This article reviews the literature on the frequency/volume chart. The frequency/volume chart is the systematic registration of point of time of voiding and voided volume done by the patient in her own environment for a specified period of time, usually 24 or 48 hours. The chart can be supplemented with the registration of incontinence episodes. Measurements obtained from the frequency/volume chart include total voided volume/24 hours, frequency of micturition, mean voided volume, largest single voided volume and range of voided volumes.


RESULTS
Normal values for these measurements as well as values for patients with stress incontinence and detrusor instability are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency/volume chart is a simple and inexpensive way of recording basic data, some of which can be obtained in no other way, e.g. total voided volume. The frequency/ volume chart has acceptable reproducibility but limited diagnostic capacity. It provides a basis for instituting treatment in many patients and provides the best tool for following the result of treatment in patients with the urge syndrome.
Siltberg
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Larsson
G
G
Victor
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014556:Urine