Fluid loss quantitation test in women with urinary incontinence: a test-retest analysis
Fantl, J.A.; Harkins, S.W.; Wyman, J.F.; Choi, S.C.; Taylor, J.R.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 70(5): 739-743
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 3658283 Document Number: 293906
A modified perineal pad-weighing method for objective quantitation of fluid loss is presented. The bladder was filled by retrograde flow, a sequence of provocative maneuvers was performed under direct supervision, and fluid loss was determined by pad weights. An analysis of immediate test-retest correlation and variability was done in patients with either sphincteric incompetence alone (N = 46) or detrusor instability with or without concomitant sphincteric incompetence (N = 21). Test-retest correlations were high in both groups, suggesting that the method could be applied as an index of severity of urinary incontinence in women. Test-retest within-patient variability was considerable, and limits its usefulness in the analysis of treatment outcome.