ANalogical UroFlowmetry (ANUF): Correspondence Between This New Visual Pictogram and Uroflowmetry in Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A new approach for the study of male micturition dynamics

Abstract

ObjectiveTo study the correlation between a new visual tool (ANalogical UroFlowmetry (ANUF)) and uroflowmetry (UF) parameters when performed to assess male lower urinary tract symptoms (MLUTS). MethodsWe configured an original pictogram composed of 4 different urine streams. In the setting of a University Hospital based prospective study where 545 men were enrolled between September 2018 and January 2019. Variables collected were age, UF pattern, Qmax, average flow rate (Qave), voided volume, postvoid residual, and selected image. The Spearman's rank test, ANOVA, and Tukey test, as well as the lineal regression model were used. ResultsA total of 358 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 64.6 ± 12 years. Mean value and standard deviationfor the Qmax were 20.4 ± 10.5 mL/s for Image1; 15.5 ± 6.4 mL/s for Image2; 13.5 ± 6.0 mL/s for Image3 and 10.4 ± 5.4 mL/s for Image4. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between ANUF and Qmax (r = −0.317; P<.0001), and ANUF and Qave (r = −0.305; P<.0001). Qmax mean values among images were statistically different when compared in pairs, except Image1 and Image2 (P= .153). The confidence intervals calculated through the lineal regression model for the Qmax and each image were Image1) 17.8, confidence interval [CI] 95%: [14.9-21.5] mL/s; Image2) 14.3, CI 95%: [13.0-15.7] mL/s; Image3) 12.3, CI 95%: [11.5-13.1] mL/s and Image4) 9.1, CI 95%: [8.1-10.3] mL/s. ConclusionAccording to our results, ANUF is a useful and inexpensive tool presenting a correlation with the Qmax as well a correspondence of each image with a range of Qmax and its mean value.