A novel intraurethral device diagnostic index to classify bladder outlet obstruction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms

Minimally invasive measurement of vesical pressure for diagnosis of infravesical obstruction

AIMS

This study was focused on the clinical test of an improved and portable version of a previously described urethral connector (UC), designed for minimally invasive measurement of vesical pressure and diagnosis of infravesical obstruction in men.

METHODS

The conventional pressure-flow study (PFS) and the test with the new version of UC were applied to individuals reporting lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), who were then classified as obstructed or non-obstructed/equivocal based on the bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) from PFS data. Two-way analysis of variance was used to compare the values of urine flow rate and vesical pressure between methods and diagnoses.

RESULTS

Vesical pressure and urine flow values were not significantly different between methods (P > 0.05), while the former was greater in the group classified as obstructed.

CONCLUSION

The present results showed that the UC test can support the diagnosis of infravesical obstruction in a comparable way as that of the conventional urodynamic method, however with the advantages of simplicity and minimal invasiveness, having thus the potential to be an alternative method for long term follow-up of individuals reporting LUTS.

Digital rectal examination standardization for inexperienced hands: teaching medical students

Objectives. To standardize digital rectal examination (DRE) and set how it correlates with the comprehensive evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods. After scaled standardization of DRE based on fingertips graphical schema: 10 cubic centimeters-cc for each fingertip prostate surface area on DRE, four randomly selected senior medical students examined 48 male patients presenting with LUTS in an outpatient clinical setting, totaling 12 DRE each. Standardized DRE, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), serum PSA, transabdominal ultrasound (US), urodynamic evaluation, and postvoid residue were compared. Results. The mean and median PVs were US-45 and 34.7 cc (5.5 to 155) and DRE-39 and 37.5 cc (15 to 80). Comparing DRE and US by simple linear regression: US PV = 11.93 + 0.85 × (DRE PV); P = 0.0009. Among patients classified as nonobstructed, inconclusive, and obstructed, the US PVs were 29.8, 43.2, and 53.6 cc (P = 0.033), and DRE PVs were 20, 35, and 60 cc (P = 0.026), respectively. Conclusion. This is the first attempt to DRE standardization focusing on teaching-learning process, establishing a linear correlation of DRE and US PVs with only 12 examinations by inexperienced hands, satisfactorily validated in an outpatient clinical setting.