FREQUENCY VOLUME CHART - THE BASIC TOOL FOR INVESTIGATING URINARY SYMPTOMS/

Background. This article reviews the literature on the frequency/volum e chart. The frequency/volume chart is the systematic registration of point of time of voiding and voided volume done by the patient in her own environment for a specified period of time, usually 24 or 48 hours . The chart can be supplemented with the registration of incontinence episodes, Measurements obtained from the frequency/volume chart includ e total voided volume/24 hours, frequency of micturition, mean voided volume, largest single voided volume and range of voided volumes. Resu lts. Normal values for these measurements as well as values for patien ts with stress incontinence and detrusor instability are presented. Co nclusions. The frequency/volume chart is a simple and inexpensive way of recording basic data, some of which can be obtained in no other way . e.g. total voided volume. The frequency/volume chart has acceptable reproducibility but limited diagnostic capacity. It provides a basis f or instituting treatment in many patients and provides the best tool f or following the result of treatment in patients with the urge syndrom e.