Cystoscopy Plus Urethral Dilatation Versus Cystoscopy Alone in Women With Overactive Bladder Syndrome and Impaired Voiding

Urethral dilatation is a commonly undertaken intervention for a variety of urinary complaints including overactive bladder symptoms. There is however very little evidence for its efficacy, and no randomized trial evidence. The aim of this study is to ascertain the effect of urethral dilatation on overactive bladder symptoms and on voiding parameters. The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in symptoms or voiding parameters between the urethral dilatation and sham groups. Eligible women will be assessed initially with a history and examination, a King's Health Questionnaire and Bristol Female Urinary Tract Symptoms (BFLUTS) questionnaire and pressure flow studies. They will be randomized to undergo either cystoscopy alone or cystoscopy and urethral dilatation. Patients will be blinded to the procedure undertaken and randomized using a series of opaque envelopes. Follow up will be at 6 weeks with repeat questionnaires and pressure flow studies. Subjective and objective outcomes will be compared between the two groups.