Correlation Between Micturitional Urethral Pressure Profile and Pressure-Flow Criteria in Bladder Outlet Obstruction

Abstract

Purpose We correlate micturitional urethral pressure profilometry with pressure-flow diagnoses of outlet obstruction. Materials and Methods Urodynamic evaluation was done of 86 consecutive men with voiding symptoms. Obstruction criteria were a micturitional urethral pressure profile (MUPP) gradient greater than 5 cm. water, Schafer's linear passive urethral resistance relation (PURR) greater than grade 1 and Abrams-Griffiths nomogram. Results Interpretable results were completed in 99 percent of the patients undergoing MUPP and 60 percent undergoing pressure-flow studies (p less than 0.00001). MUPP diagnosis agreed with PURR (p = 0.0015) and Abrams-Griffiths nomogram results (p = 0.00004). MUPP gradients correlated well with PURR (r = 0.70, p less than 0.00001). Using optimum cutoff values (11 cm. water), the sensitivity of MUPP was 83 percent, specificity 82 percent and positive predictive value 94 percent. Conclusions MUPP correlates well with and yields interpretable results more often than pressure-flow studies.