title: Measurement of post-void residual bladder volumes in hospitalized older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is commonly recommended to catheterize or closely follow up patients with post-void residual volumes of 150 mL or more, but the frequency of such findings in geriatric hospitalized patients and the need for intervention are unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Post-void residual volumes were measured by ultrasound examination within 14 hours of admission in 464 patients aged 70 years or more who were hospitalized in a regional hospital general internal medicine department. Outcome variables included the need for an indwelling catheter and complications of urinary retention during the hospitalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-void residual volumes of ≥150 mL were common (23.9%; 111/464) and had the following distribution: 150 to 299 mL, 13.1% (61/464); 300 to 499 mL, 6.4% (30/464); and 500 mL or more, 6% (28/464). The rate of indwelling catheters was 3.2% (15/464). Results of post-void residual volumes did not predict the need for indwelling catheters in those without other criteria, although those with indications for indwelling catheters had a significantly higher frequency of post-void residual volumes ≥500 mL (P < .001) compared with those without such indications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that urinary retention in hospitalized geriatric patients is common, but measurements of post-void residual volumes did not have definite clinical utility. However, the study had limited power to determine the benefits or potential harms of urinary catheterization for elevated post-void residual volumes.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine B, Laniado Hospital, Netanya, Israel; Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Zvi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shimoni
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine B, Laniado Hospital, Netanya, Israel; Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Ela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fruger
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: froomp@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Froom
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Catheterization; Geriatric patients; Post-voiding residuals