title: Urethral sensory threshold and urethro-anal reflex latency in continent women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The sensory evaluation of the lower urinary tract is summarized in the bladder proprioceptive sensitivity during cystometry. Experimental studies suggest that abnormalities of the urethral innervation and micturition reflex can be related to the presence of continence disturbances. This study aimed to measure the urethral sensory threshold and the urethro-anal reflex latency in healthy volunteers, establishing reading criteria, comparing the results and technique used with the literature and verifying the effect of physiological factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty healthy female volunteers were studied. They had an absence of genital or urinary complaints and had undergone no previous pelvic or vaginal procedures. The measurement of the urethral sensory threshold and urethro-anal reflex latency were performed as described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The determination of the urethral sensory threshold and urethro-anal reflex latency were obtained in 96.6% of the volunteers. The electrophysiological parameters did not correlate with age, parity or number of vaginal deliveries. There was a positive association of the urethral sensory threshold with height. Technical aspects were considered and compared with those in the literature as well as the advantages and limitations of the method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The measurement of the urethral sensory threshold and urethro-anal reflex latency presented consistent recordings. The urethral sensory threshold should be analyzed carefully in individuals with height above the population average. Subsequent observations are necessary to clarify their function in patients with continence disturbances and to measure the urethral function, but these values can be used as normal parameters for comparison.
authors.affiliation: Surgery Department, Division of Urology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 414/35, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil. geraldo.cavalcanti@sbu.org.br
authors.forename: Geraldo de Aguiar
authors.initials: Gde A
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.forename: Homero
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bruschini
authors.forename: Gilberto M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Manzano
authors.forename: Lydia P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Giuliano
authors.forename: João Antônio M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nóbrega
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Srougi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D012016:Reference Values; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014521:Urethra / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*