Parameters of gas urethral pressure profiles: part II.

Parameters of the carbon dioxide urethral pressure profilometry were examined in detail previously for reproducibility within subjects. In the current study we have extended that analysis to determine the relationship of these parameters between patient subgroups. Mean values for non-spina bifida male subjects showed the same pattern of increase across age groups, regardless of the measured parameter. These increases were significant for continence and functional lengths but not for closure pressure. Male subjects with spina bifida showed mixed responses across age but age was not a statistically significant factor for any of the 3 parameters. Female subjects were quite uniform in the mean values across age for continence and functional lengths regardless of diagnosis. Mean values for female subjects were not uniform for closure pressure and tended to decrease with age in contrast to continence and functional lengths. The parameter continence length has a between subject standard deviation that is relatively stable across age, sex and pathology, and may be used for a basis of comparison. However, standard deviations for functional length is least variable in most subgroups of sex, age and diagnosis.