A cross-sectional study of ultrasound estimated bladder weight in a sample of men and women without lower urinary tract symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
A non-invasive ultrasound method of estimating bladder weight (UEBW) has been proposed as diagnostic for outflow tract obstruction and detrusor overactivity in men and women. There are no data on asymptomatic men and women. This study aimed to examine the relationship between UEBW, age, height, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA).


METHODS
Healthy volunteers of either sex were recruited from hospital staff, visitors, and patients. All were screened as asymptomatic using a validated tool and variables recorded. Bladder scans were performed using the Bladderscan BVM 6500 (Verathon, Aylesbury, England).


RESULTS
Thirty men and 40 women were included in the study. There was no correlation between UEBW and BMI or age. There was a statistically significant correlation between height and UEBW (r(s) = 0.78 (95% CI 0.66-0.86), P < 0.0001), span and UEBW (M,r(s) = 0.68, P < 0.0001, F,r(s) = 0.36, P < 0.02), BSA and UEBW (M,r(s) = 0.75, P < 0.0001, F,r(s) = 0.34, P < 0.035), and height and UEBW (r(s) = 0.78 (95% CI 0.66-0.86), P < 0.0001) for both men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has described a highly significant association between UEBW and height, and span and BSA in a group of asymptomatic individuals of both sexes. Caution should be taken when ascribing pathological significance to observations made in the absence of understanding of normal physiology.
Morris
Vikky
V
Department of Geriatric Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
Steventon
Nigel
N
Hazbun
Saleh
S
Wagg
Adrian
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult