A voiding diary (VD) is a key element in the evaluation of patients with overactive bladder (OAB) at initial presentation and during treatment to assess its effectiveness. In order to be clinically relevant, it must be performed over 3 days according to the International Continence Society (ICS). Unfortunately, some patients find it cumbersome. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and patient satisfaction when using a connected tank device.
We conducted a single-center prospective study including 41 patients. Each patient completed a paper voiding diary and then a diary with Diary Pod® (DP) or inversely depending on the study arm. Data from 34 patients were collected. After completion of both diaries, patients completed a satisfaction questionnaire sent by email via GoogleForm. Study statistics were performed with Jamovi® and Excel® software.
Data from 34 patients were analyzed. There was a statically significant difference (P=0.046) between the mean volume calculated from the paper VD and that calculated from the connected VD (DP). There was no statistically significant difference (P=0.112) between the mean number of daytime voids, mean number of nighttime voids (P=0.156), mean water intake (P=0.183) reported on the paper VD and the connected VD. Thirteen (42%) paper VD and 1 connected VD did not include documentation of the presence or absence of urine leakage or urgency. There was no statistically significant difference between the two calendars regarding the presence or absence of urine leakage (P=0.180) and urinary urgency (P=0.564). Eighty-four percent (26/31) preferred the connected tank to the usual method (paper/pen), while 55% (17/31) and 29% (9/31) of the participants respectively answered that the DP was "very definitely" or "definitely" an aid for performing VD. Nevertheless, 39% (12/31) and 55% (17/31) considered its price to be high or fair and only 22% (7/31) were inclined to buy it.
This study showed that the Diary connected reservoir Pod® is a reliable and innovative tool for voiding schedules. It facilitates data collection for the majority of patients (83%) and could, through better patient compliance, provide better quality data and help their interpretation by the physician. These factors could encourage the implementation of the connected voiding diary as a diagnostic tool. It would also be used for the assessment of treatment effectiveness in daily clinical practice as well as in research. Its cost remains a major obstacle, judged by 39% of patients to be too high, and could therefore be proposed in specific situations requiring precise data.
The French journal of urology. 2024 Feb 15 [Epub ahead of print]
Florence Alameda, François Audenet, Eric Mandron, Marc Olivier Timsit, Eric Fontaine, Michel Pietak, Arnaud Mejean, Sophie Hurel
Hopital européen Georges-Pompidou, AP-HP, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France. Electronic address: ., Hopital européen Georges-Pompidou, AP-HP, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France.