MANUAL VERSUS COMPUTER METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING OBSTRUCTION FROM PRESSURE-FLOW TRACINGS IN PATIENTS WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

Purpose: We compared manual versus computer analysis of pressure-flow tracings for diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction in patients with be nign prostatic hyperplasia. Materials and Methods: A total of 105 pati ents with a clinical diagnosis of prostate enlargement and lower urina ry tract symptoms was included in the study irrespective of free flow rates. Pressure-flow studies were performed in duplicate and tracings were evaluated by 2 independent investigators blinded to patient statu s. Manual reading of urodynamic printouts and fully computerized analy sis using CLIM software were done. All urodynamic parameters relevant to the diagnosis of outlet obstruction were compared using the Abrams -Griffiths and Schafer nomograms. Group specific urethral resistance f actors were also compared. Results: There was good correlation between manual and computer derived values of maximum flow (r = 0.9874, p les s than or equal to 0.0001), detrusor pressure at maximum flow (r = 0.9 943, p less than or equal to 0.0001), minimum detrusor pressure during voiding (r = 0.8816, p less than or equal to 0.0001) and group specif ic urethral resistance factor (r = 0.9917, p less than or equal to 0.0 001). The diagnosis of outlet obstruction according to the group speci fic urethral resistance factor, and the Abrams-Griffiths and Schafer n omograms was highly consistent using the manual and computerized appro aches. Conclusions: Manual analysis of pressure-flow tracings generate d by urodynamic equipment and digital data obtained by CLIM software a ppeared to be highly consistent and equally reliable for diagnosing an d grading outlet obstruction.