Does digital rectal examination affect uroflowmetry measurements?

Abstract

Aims: To determine whether digital rectal examination (DRE) would affect uroflowmetry parameters and whether these findings were not due to the circaidan changes. Methods: A total of 79 male patients (59 in study and 20 in control group) were included in this study. First uroflowmetry was done at 10:00 AM just before the genitourinary physical examination in the study group. Second and third uroflowmetry was performed at the 6th and 24th hour after the first uroflowmetry. The same uroflowmetry tests were done in a control group without DRE. Voided volume and maximum and average flow rate parameters of uroflowmetry were interpreted in our study. The relationship among first, second, and third uroflowmetry parameters were determined in the study and control groups. Results: There were statistically no difference between the mean first, or 6th- or 24th-hour uroflowmetry parameters of the study and control groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: We could not find any effect of DRE on uroflowmetry parameters. Studies in a larger patient series would be appropriate for recommending DRE before or after uroflowmetry test. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.