The effect of voiding position on uroflowmetric parameters in healthy young men

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Voiding quality can theoretically be affected by voiding position. It is important to know the effect of voiding position on urometric parameters in order to obtain optimal diagnostic test results, compare data across research investigations, and make recommendations about voiding position for the management of voiding problems. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of changes in voiding position on uroflowmetric findings of young, healthy men. METHODS: The participants were 31 male volunteers who were asymptomatic of urological disorder. They had an average age of 29.2 years (range, 23-39 years). In each of standing, sitting, and squatting positions, 2 measurements were done (6 separate measurements for each case) and the mean of each pair was determined. Outcome measures were peak flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate, time to peak flow, flow time, and voided volume. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare the voiding positions; a probability value <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The results for the standing, sitting and squatting positions were: mean Qmax of 23.4, 24.4, and 25.8 mL/s, respectively (P=.618);mean for average flow rates of 13.4, 13.0, and 13.9 mL/s, respectively (P=.813);mean flow times of 23.9, 22.1, and 22.9 seconds, respectively (P=.822);mean time to peak flow of 7.8, 8.0, and 6.0 seconds, respectively (P=.119);and mean voided volume of 300, 275, and 290 mL, respectively (P=.631). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed no statistically significant differences between the standing, sitting, or squatting voiding positions for any of the measured urodynamic parameters. A precise judgment about the effect of voiding position on the uroflowmetric measures of healthy young males needs more investigation using a large number of cases, preferably with heterogeneous typical voiding positions. é 2011 UroToday International Journal.