Applicability and reproducibility of condom catheter method for measuring isovolumetric bladder pressure

OBJECTIVES: To report on the applicability, reproducibility, and adverse events of the noninvasive condom catheter method in the first 730 subjects of a longitudinal survey of changes in urinary bladder contractility secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia, in which 1300 men will be evaluated three times in 5 years using this method. METHODS: Subjects were recruited by general practitioners, general publicity, and e-mail. Only those meeting the study criteria were entered in the study. If the free flow rate exceeded 5.4 mL/s, at least two consecutive condom pressure measurements were attempted using the condom catheter method. The condom pressure measured reflected the isovolumetric bladder pressure, a measure of urinary bladder contractility. The reproducibility of the method was quantified by a difference plot of the two maximal condom pressures measured in each subject. RESULTS: In 618 (94%) of 659 eligible participants, one condom pressure measurement was completed; two measurements were done in 555 (84%). The maximal condom pressure ranged from 28 to 228 cm H2O (overall mean 101, SD 34). A difference between the two pressures of less than +/-21 cm H2O was found in 80%. The mean difference was -1 cm H2O (SD 18), significantly different from 0. Some adverse events such as terminal self-limiting hematuria were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: The condom catheter method is very suitable for large-scale use. It has a success rate of 94% and a reproducibility comparable to that of invasive pressure flow studies

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