| Abstract: | Our objective was to determine whether a positive supine empty stress test is predictive of a low Valsalva leak point pressure (⩽60 cm of water). Evaluation was carried out on 179 patients with a history of genuine stress incontinence confirmed with urodynamic testing. All patients had a supine stress test performed after voiding. Residual urine determinations were all <100 cc. A vesical Valsalva leak point pressure determination (cough and strain) was performed during multichannel urodynamics with 150 cc in the bladder. Urethral profilometry was performed at maximum capacity. There was a statistically significant relationship between a low leak point pressure and a positive supine empty stress test (P < 0.000). The supine empty stress test had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 62.5% for the detection of a low leak point pressure. The negative predictive value was high at 90%. For the age group 50 years and younger the negative predictive value was 95%. However, there was no significant relationship between a positive supine empty stress test and a low maximal urethral closure pressure. We conclude that the supine empty stress test is a useful screening test for a low leak point pressure but not a low urethral closure pressure. Its high negative predictive value is useful in excluding the presence of a low leak point pressure and may help the clinician to determine which patients with genuine stress incontinence need further assessment of the dynamic function of the urethral sphincter. Neurourol. Urodyn. 17:121–127, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
