Correlation of the bladder wall thickness with overactive bladder syndrome and urodynamic findings

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: To correlate the bladder wall thickness by transabdominal ultrasound in patients with overactive bladder syndrome and urodynamic findings.

Materials and methods:  A prospective, analytical and descriptive study was  done that included 30 patients with overactive bladder syndrome diagnosis, who underwent to urodynamic study and measurement of the bladder wall thickness by transabdominal ultrasound, from the Urogynecological Unit of the Hospital Civil Fray Antonio Alcalde from January to December 2018. Descriptive statistics was done. For the quantitative variables, mean comparison tests were performed, using Student's t test. Logistic models were used to predict symptoms and ROC curves with Youden's J to determine a cut-off point for the measurement of bladder thickness in relation to symptoms. As well as correlation of variables using Pearson's test.

Results: Thirty patients with overactive bladder syndrome and urodynamic diagnosis of overactive detrusor were obtained. We made two subgroups, classifying according to the presence or absence of urinary incontinence. The mean age was 58.68 ± 13.61. Compliance was found to be higher, although not significantly, in patients without incontinence. There are trends towards a higher residual volume and bladder pressure among patients with incontinence, at the same time that a moderate negative correlation is observed between incontinence and bladder thickness (R2 = -.444, p <0.05). From this, it was determined by means of the coordinates, the Youden J was obtained, which establishes the cut-off point for the increase of presenting incontinence above 2.95 mm (AUROC 0.696, SENS 53.6%, ESP 88.9%) of bladder thickness and When making the comparisons of urodynamic data, it was found that patients with more than 2.96 mm have a lower compliance (AUROC 0.760, SENS 73.3%, ESP 80%).

Conclusions: The measurement of the bladder wall thickness by transabdominal ultrasound can be a useful tool for the comprehensive evaluation of patients with overactive bladder syndrome, to predict the probability of the disease as well as the prognosis for response to treatment.