ABSTRACT
Urodynamic observations (e.g., measurement of urinary flow) have been defined by the joint committee of the international urogynecological association (IUGA)/ international continence society (ICS) to be observations made during urodynamic studies [1]. A particular urodynamic observation (e.g., decreased urinary flow rate) can have a variety of underlying causes and, therefore, is unsuitable to make a definitive diagnosis concerning a disease or condition. Hence, free uroflowmetry (spontaneous or no-catheter uroflowmetry) should never be used as a single test but always combined with clinical information (e.g., history, physical examination, frequency-voiding chart, or pad test) and other tests (e.g., measurement of postvoid residual urine, ultrasound assessment of the lower or upper urinary tract) to draw useful conclusions with regard to diagnosis or treatment benefit. Urodynamic observations may occur in the absence or presence of symptoms and signs.
