Clinical Factors Associated With the Feeling of Incomplete Bladder Emptying in Women With Little Postvoided Residue

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the clinical factors associated with the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying in female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Methods: Records were obtained from a prospectively maintained database for 353 female patients without a history of treatment for LUTS. Patients with comorbidities that may affect voiding function and with postvoid residual (PVR) volume >20 mL or PVR volume-to-bladder capacity ratio of >10% were excluded. Finally, 211 patients were eligible for the study.

Results: Patients were stratified according to the severity of the feeling of incomplete emptying: non-severe group (n=147, 69.7%) and severe group (n=64, 30.3%). The severe group showed longer time to maximum flow rate (Qmax) and greater total overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS). No differences in age, PVR volume, and diagnosis of overactive bladder (OAB) were found between the 2 severity groups. Multivariable analysis identified the severity of the feeling of incomplete emptying to be significantly associated with time to Qmax and minimum volume of voids. Time to Qmax was identified as a significant predictor of severe symptoms in women with OAB. In addition, the feeling of incomplete emptying, total OABSS, and minimum volume of voids were significantly associated with quality of life.

Conclusion: Female patients with the feeling of incomplete emptying who have insignificant PVR volume exhibited severe voiding symptoms and low quality of life. The treatment strategy should be focused on improving the minimum volume of voids and shortening the time to Qmax.