Correlation between micturitional urethral pressure profile and pressure-flow criteria in bladder outlet obstruction.

Abstract

We correlate micturitional urethral pressure profilometry with pressure-flow diagnoses of outlet obstruction. 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, Schäfer's linear passive urethral resistance relation (PURR) greater than grade 1 and Abrams-Griffiths nomogram. Interpretable results were completed in 99% of the patients undergoing MUPP and 60% undergoing pressure-flow studies (p < 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 < 0.00001). Using optimum cutoff values (11 cm. water), the sensitivity of MUPP was 83%, specificity 82% and positive predictive value 94%. MUPP correlates well with and yields interpretable results more often than pressure-flow studies.