Value of the shape of the flowmetry curve in the study of prostatism

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation of the urinary flow curve morphology of free flowmetry with the status of lower urinary tract dynamics. METHODS: A mathematical model was designed to fit the urinary flow curves to two models: a symmetrical and an asymmetrical model. Based on these models we analyzed the relationship between the presence or absence of obstruction and the type of model which better adjusted the urinary flow curves in a series of 85 males. RESULTS: The urinary flow curves corresponding to absence of obstruction adjusted significantly better to a symmetrical model than those corresponding to bladder outlet obstruction. No correlation was observed between the type of curve and bladder contractibility or type of urinary obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the form of the urinary flow curve and bladder obstruction. In the absence of obstruction, the urinary flow curves are more symmetrical.