Home uroflowmetry: Improved accuracy in outflow assessment

To study home uroflowmetry and to compare this method to free or "tradition al" uroflowmetry in the evaluation of the patient with symptomatic benign p rostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and the relationship between the values of home uroflowmetry parameters and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Twenty-five patients (mean age, 67 years) with symptomatic BPH were examined with home uroflowmetry, free uroflowmetry, and pressure-flow measurement. The patient s were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom score; digital rec tal examination; routine blood chemistry, including serum prostate-specific antigen level; urinanalysis; transrectal ultrasonography; and post-void re sidual urine. The 24 hr were divided into "active time" (AT) and "sleep tim e" (ST). AT home uroflowmetry parameters were compared to ST ones. The home uroflowmetry parameters were compared to respective ones of the free urofl owmetry as well and those obtained by pressure-flow measurement. The patien ts were asked about their opinion of home uroflowmetry. Home uroflowmetry w as found to be a simpler and more acceptable method than free uroflowmetry. The mean Q(max) of AT was significantly greater than the mean Q(max) of ST , but the mean voided volume and mean voiding time of ST were significantly larger than those of AT. There was a close relationship between the mean Q (max) at home and the Q(max) in hospital, but the voided volume and voiding time measured in hospital were significantly larger than those at home. Ho me uroflowmetry provided an estimation of BOO for 46% of the patients as lo w if the home mean Q(max) was >14 ml/sec, and as high if the home mean Q(ma x) was <10 ml/sec. Home uroflowmetry was well accepted by the patients and gave more information than free uroflowmetry. In 46% of the cases, an estim ation of BOO was obtained with home uroflowmetry. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:2 5-32, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.