Bladder sensation measures and overactive bladder.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a prospective multicomponent study to determine whether subjective and objective bladder sensation instruments may provide data on sensory dysfunction in patients with overactive bladder.


METHODS
We evaluated 70 prospectively enrolled patients with urodynamics and questionnaires on validated urgency (Urgency Perception Score), general overactive bladder (Urogenital Distress Inventory) and quality of life (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire). We first sought a correlation between sensory specific (Urgency Perception Score) and quality of life questionnaire scores. We then assessed a correlation between sensory questionnaire scores and urodynamic variables, exploring the hypothesis that certain urodynamic parameters may be bladder sensation measures. We evaluated 2 urodynamic derivatives (first sensation ratio and bladder urgency velocity) to increase sensory finding discrimination.


RESULTS
We noted a moderate correlation between the Urgency Perception Score (0.56) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory (0.74) vs the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (each p <0.01). A weak negative correlation was seen between Urgency Perception Score and bladder capacity (-0.25, p <0.05). No correlation was noted for the other urodynamics parameters. First sensation ratio and bladder urgency velocity statistically significantly correlated with the Urgency Perception Score despite the lesser or absent correlation associated with the individual components of these derivatives.


CONCLUSIONS
Bladder sensation questionnaires may be valuable to identify patients with sensory dysfunction and provide additional data not obtained in generalized symptom questionnaires. Urodynamic variables correlated with bladder sensation questionnaire scores and may be an objective method to assess sensory dysfunction.
Rapp
David E
DE
Continence Center at Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98111, USA. derapp@yahoo.com
Neil
Nancy J
NJ
Govier
Fred E
FE
Kobashi
Kathleen C
KC
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012677:Sensation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001743:Urinary Bladder; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014563:Urodynamics