The pressure flow study investigation of pathophysiology of post-micturition dribble in male patients

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to elucidate the pathophysiology of post-micturition dribble (PMD) through analyzing several variables including pressure flow study (PFS) findings and symptoms questionnaire.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed male patients who visited our department between 2010 and 2020. We used modified international prostate symptom score (m-IPSS), which consists of eight sub-score related to lower urinary tract symptoms (Incomplete Emptying, Frequency, Intermittency, Urgency, Weak Stream, Straining, Nocturia, and PMD) and one question related to quality of life (QOL). Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between PMD and the variables, including age, prostate volume (PV), body mass index, bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI), bladder contractility index, and bladder voiding efficiency, which were obtained by PFS.

Results: A total of 143 male patients were analyzed. The patients with PMD showed significantly larger PV and higher BOOI, and worse IPSS total and QOL score than those without PMD. Multivariate regression analysis showed that large PV and BOOI were significantly associated with PMD. In Spearman's correlation analysis, PMD and each m-IPSS sub-score except nocturia had significant positive correlation. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation analysis showed that PMD and QOL had significant strong positive correlation.

Conclusion: PMD was significantly associated with large PV and BOO evaluated by PFS. Furthermore, PMD significantly exacerbated QOL. The severity of PMD and the other m-IPSS sub-score except nocturia could have intercorrelation with each other.

Keywords: Bladder outlet obstruction; Post-micturition dribble; Pressure flow study; Prostate volume; Quality of life.