Urethral pressure variations diagnosed by multiple urethral pressure transducers. A common phenomenon in women suffering from urinary incontinence.

The prevalence of urethral pressure variations (variation of urethral pressure greater than 15 cm H2O) was investigated, with the use of a data-based multitransducer catheter, in female patients suffering from urinary incontinence. Urethral pressure variations were diagnosed in 45 (63%) of 71 patients. This prevalence was greater than in previous studies, possibly for methodological reasons; the urethral pressure was simultaneously measured by five urethral microtransducers, thereby registering all variations in maximal urethral pressure. The present method also showed that urethral pressure variations were simultaneously present in different urethral sites, but that the amplitude of variation differed between the different points of registration. In most cases, urethral pressure variations were already apparent at the start of urethrocystometry. Voluntary holding, in an effort to inhibit the desire to void, can cause these variations in urethral pressure. Hence urethral pressure variations may be a normal physiological phenomenon.