Abstract General Information

Title

DYSFUNCTIONAL VOIDING: DOES A VALIDATED URINE COLOR SCALE CORRELATE WITH DYSFUNCTIONAL VOIDING SEVERITY SCORE?

Introduction and objective

The study aimed to assess whether urine color on a validated urine color scale correlates with the severity of voiding dysfunction symptoms.

Method

A total of 29 pediatric patients < 18 years presenting with symptoms of voiding dysfunction were prospectively enrolled. Patients were excluded if they were not toilet-trained, had active UTI, urinary tract stones, spina bifida or urinary tract congenital anomalies. Patients/ parents were asked to complete the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score and grade urine color on an 8-color urine color scale (Armstrong 1994; International Journal of Sports Nutrition, 4, 265-279). Urine specific gravity was captured on a urine analysis obtained withing 3 months of completing the questionnaire. Correlation analysis was preformed between urine color score, urine specific gravity and DVSS score.

Results

The mean patient age was 9.7 + 3.8 years and 20 (69%) were females. The mean total DVSS was 10 +4.6 and the median urine color score was 3 (IQR= 3-4). Correlation analysis demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between the total DVSS and the urine color scale score (r= 0.426, p = 0.021)

Conclusion

Despite the small sample size, our preliminary data indicate that the severity of voiding dysfunction symptoms positively correlates with urine color scale that reflects the patient’s hydration status. Although subjective, it can be used to monitor patient’s adherence to adequate hydration which can improve their voiding symptoms.