Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Flowmetrograms in Patients with Prostatodynia

Urine flow rate curve shapes and their descriptors

“…Nishimoto et al suggest quantitative definition using values for the parameters noted above ( Q max / T v ≥ 0.78, 0.32 ≤ TQ max / T v ≤ 0.54, Q ave / Q max < l.59). Four other articles specifically define normal flow shape: Wyndaele suggests Q max > 15 mL/s, Abrams indicates Q max appears in first 30% of curve and within 5 s from start, Mostafavi et al use flow within 5% to 90% range of the Iranian nomogram and Q max 2 > volume voided for normal shape, and Ghobish uses time ratio ( T r = TQ max /flow time) of 25‐60% and flow ratio ( Q r = Q ave / Q max ) of 25‐75% to define normal shape …”

“…It is agreed in most articles that constrictive flow shape has a relatively longer flow time, flattened shape with a constant Q max almost the same as Q ave . In addition, five articles have given a more specific definition: variations less than 1 mL/s, variation <1 mL/s for at least 4 s, Q max /flow time <0.5, Q r > 80% and T r < 10% …”

“…ICS defines the compressive flow shape as a flattened asymmetric low curve with a slowly declining end part . Additionally Ghobish defines it by 30‐60% Q r and 10‐25% T r , and van der Vis‐Melsen et al name it “low flat” with definition of flat flow with low average and maximum index of urine transport (IUT, the ratio of flow rate and square root of bladder volume). Other researchers have mostly the same definition as ICS, but use different terms: slow start, flattened, low flow, long‐tail, approximately normal, and prostatic…”

“…Three articles give additional definitions for this shape. Fantl et al considers intermittent as flow less than 2 mL/s instead of completely stopping, Ghobish further subdivided intermittency into two patterns by interruption duration threshold of ≤2 s, named type A, and repeated interruptions due to abdominal straining as type B, and Jensen et al define intermittent flow as lasting for at least 15 s of flow time with one or more interruptions.…”

Is there a role for urodynamics in chronic nonbacterial prostatitis?

“…Ghobish [12] studied the uroflowmetry characteristics of 237 men with CP/CPPS IIIb compared with 71 from control subjects. Uroflowmetry studies were repeated two to three times for each individual, and the best maximum flow rate (Q max ) was used.…”