Validating of a Novel Method for Electronically Recording Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Men.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to compare a novel wireless phone and web based technology to record and store overactive bladder symptoms (OAB-S) to a traditional pen and paper micturition chart.

METHODS: Overactive bladder symptoms were recorded over a period of 3 days using both an electronic micturition chart (EMC) and the standard pen and paper micturition chart (MC). Twenty-nine men, with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), were included in the study. Dropout rate, patient's preference, and correlation between the quality of life measures (QoL) and symptoms recorded with EMC versus MC, were assessed and compared.

RESULTS: Of the total number of 29 patients enrolled into the study, 24 completed the full 3-day trial using MC and 27 using EMC. MC was preferred by 50%, while EMC was preferred by 50% of participants. Using MC, 21% of patients forgot to record at least one episode of urgency, versus 17% using EMC, 17% forgot to record at least one micturition using MC versus 8% using EMC. A statistically significant correlation was found between lower severity of OAB-S and higher QoL, using both recording methods.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study population, recording symptoms with EMC did not prove to be preferable compared to MC; however, EMC provided the same level of accuracy with the same or better adherence to the study protocol.