Detrusor contraction duration and strength in the patients with benign prostatic enlargement.

OBJECTIVE: examine detrusor contraction duration (DCD) in relation with obstruction grade and strength of detrusor contractility; analyze individual correlations of this parameter with urodynamic, physiological and symptoms variables in patients with benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). SAMPLE AND
METHODOLOGY: 102 patients with proved BPE, underwent complete urodynamic measurements (UDM), namely uroflowmetry, cystometry and pressure/flow studies. Postvoid residual urine (PVR) was measured and the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) was fulfilled by each patient. Methodology of measurement and definitions of UDM are based on definitions and terminology defined by the International Continence Society.
RESULTS: After grouping the patients (average age 64,7+/-8,5) related to obstruction grades according to the Schafer nomogram, ANOVA has shown a group extension of the detrusor contraction duration related to higher levels of obstruction (LinPURR 0-VI; p<0,01), which is also followed by stronger detrusor contractility (Pdetmax; p<0,001). Dichotomizing of the patients with DCD cut off point 90 sec. has shown that 67% patients with underactive detrusor have DCD>90 sec, while extension of DCD and increase of the obstruction level are directly related to preserved detrusor contractility only in 20,5% cases. There is neither statistically significant difference of DCD in the patients that are not in obstruction allocated in two groups depending on detrusor contraction strength, (t=1.2, p>0.05); nor in the patients who are in obstruction range, divided on the same way (t=0.568, p>0.05). There is also no difference of the same patients groups regarding PVR (t=1.38 and t=1.17, p>0.05). Individual correlation of DCD with I-PSS has not been shown (r=0.16, p>0.05), although there is a statistically significant correlation with its obstructive subset (r=0.20, p<0.05), as well as, with LinPUR and URA nomograms (r=0.33, r=0.29; respectively, p<0.005) and with Pdetmax (r=0.26, p<0.01), PdetQmax (r=0.24, p<0.05), Qmax and Qaver (r=0.31, p<0.005). DCD does not have individual correlations with patients' age, prostate volume and with cystometric capacity.
CONCLUSION: DCD is rather independent urodynamical variable, which does not correlate with I-PSS. Generally, DCD is prolonged during obstruction, while extension of DCD only partially depends on detrusor contraction strength. Practically, individual correlations of DCD with the urodynamic factors, which characterize obstructions, are modest.