A Comparison of Stress Leak-Point Pressure and Maximal Urethral Closure Pressure in Patients with Genuine Stress Incontinence

Kim, Dae Woo; Park, Seok San

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the correlation between the maximal urethral closure pressure and the stress leak-point pressure in the patients with genuine stress incontinence, and to define the benefit of maximal urethral closure pressure for detecting type III stress urinary incontinence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
115 patients with genuine stress incontinence were evaluated with multichannel urodynamics. Maximal urethral closure pressures and stress leak-point pressures were determined and correlated.
RESULTS
There was a statistically significant relationship (p=0.0001) between the stress leak-point pressure and the maximal urethral closure pressure. However, a correlation coefficient of 0.50 demonstrated poor clinical relationship. A stress leak-point pressure less than 60 centimeter H2O had 91.7% sensitivity, 78.8% specificity and 28.9% positive predictive value in detecting low-pressure urethra. CONCLUSION: The stress leak-point pressure has poor clinical correlation to the maximal urethral closure pressure. And maximal urethral closure pressure has no additional benefit for detecting type III stress urinary incontinence.