Decreased amplitude of detrusor overactivity by repetitive swallowing.

PURPOSE: We determined whether swallowing has an effect on the degree of urinary urgency and on the amplitude of detrusor contraction during filling cystometry in patients with detrusor overactivity.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Included in study were 20 consecutive patients with detrusor overactivity. During urodynamics the mean peak pressure of each contraction was documented and compared. At the beginning of wave 2 patients were asked to perform 5 repetitive swallows. After each wave patients were asked to grade the severity of urgency on a visual analog scale.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD peak of the detrusor contraction was 39 ± 15 vs 95 ± 26 cm H(2)O with vs without swallowing (p <0.01). All patients reported that during swallowing the degree of urgency decreased. The mean visual analog scale score for urgency was significantly lower during repetitive swallowing than without swallowing (mean 3.4 ± 1.5 vs 7.7 ± 2.2, p <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The repetitive swallowing maneuver inhibits urinary urgency and detrusor overactivity. The maneuver can be used during bladder training program or when micturition is not desirable.