Does position affect uroflowmetry parameters in women?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of position on voiding using uroflowmetric variables and postvoid residual urine volume assessment in healthy normal women.


METHODS
67 healthy females volunteered to participate in this study. Their mean age was 32 years. Each female attended the urodynamic suite on 2 separate days. They performed 2 voids, 1 in a sitting and another in a squatting posture each day. Maximum flow rate (Q(max)), average flow rate (Q(ave)), voided volume and corresponding postvoid residual urine (PVR) were compared for each position using paired Student's t test.


RESULTS
The mean Q(max) values obtained for sitting and squatting postures were 18.4 +/- 3.2 and 24.8 +/- 4.9 ml/s, respectively, and corresponding Q(ave) values were 9.2 +/- 1.9 and 12.3 +/- 3.3 ml/s, respectively. Mean PVR values for sitting and squatting were 51.8 +/- 22.2 and 21.6 +/- 12.7 ml, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The posture adopted for micturition affects uroflowmetric variables. The squatting posture is associated with a significantly higher maximum flow rate and a lower postvoid residue. Therefore, when low urine flow rates or high residual urine volumes are encountered during urodynamic study, the patients should be asked whether they normally micturate in a sitting or squatting position. If the former position is used, repeat studies with the patients squatting should be considered before accepting an abnormal test result as indicative of lower-urinary-tract dysfunction.
Gupta
Narmada P
NP
Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Kumar
Atul
A
Kumar
Rajeev
R
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011187:Posture; D012015:Reference Standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D001743:Urinary Bladder; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis; D014554:Urination; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014563:Urodynamics