Comparison of water and air charged transducer catheter pressures in the evaluation of cystometrogram and voiding pressure studies.

AIMS: Air-charged (AC) and water-perfused (WP) catheters have been evaluated for differences in measuring pressures for voiding dysfunction. Typically, a two-catheter system was used. We believe that simultaneous pressure measurements with AC and WP in a single catheter will provide analogous pressures for coughs, Valsalvas, and maximum pressures in voiding pressure studies (VPS). METHODS: This IRB approved prospective study included 50 women over age 21. AC dual TDOC catheters were utilized. The water-filling channel served as the bladder filler and the water pressure readings. Patients were evaluated with empty bladders and at volumes of 50-100 mL, 200 mL, and maximum capacity with cough and Valsalva maneuvers. Comparative analysis was performed on maximum stress peak pressures. At maximum bladder capacity, VPS was done and maximum voiding pressure was recorded. RESULTS: Comparing coughs and Valsalva maneuvers pressures, there was significant increase in variability between AC and WP measurements with less than 50 mL volume (P < 0.001). Significant correlations were observed between AC and WP measurements for coughs and Valsalvas with bladder volume over 50 mL. Visual impression showed virtually identical tracings. Cough measurements had an average difference of 0.25 cmH2 O (±8.81) and Valsalva measurements had an average difference of 3.15 cmH2 O (±4.72). Thirty-eight women had usable maximum voiding pressure measurements and had a strong correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Cystometrogram and maximum voiding pressure measurements done with either water or air charged catheters will yield similarly accurate results and are comparable. Results suggest more variability at low bladder volumes <50 mL.

Associations between caregiving, social support, and well-being among parents of children with childhood apraxia of speech.

This study tested a path model that examined the impact of contextual caregiving variables (i.e., severity of child's symptoms, caregiving demands, and perceived caregiving) and different forms of received romantic partner social support (i.e., emotional, esteem, network, tangible, and information) on depressive and somatic symptoms among parents with a child diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), a severe childhood speech disorder. In total, 169 parents of a child with CAS participated in this study. Results provide some support for one stress process model of caregiving, which further highlights the need to look at relational variables as mediators between contextual stressors and health outcomes in caregiving contexts.

The relationship between parents' verbal aggression and young adult children's intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration.

This study examines the relationships between perceived and self-reported parent verbal aggression and their young adult children's intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration. Two hundred undergraduate students completed an in-person self-administered survey measuring IPV victimization and perpetration, as well as perceived parent verbal aggression. Three-hundred and eighty-six mail surveys were also sent to their parents; 79% of parents returned the surveys. Results indicate that perceived mother and father verbal aggression was related to higher levels of victimization and perpetration across several forms of IPV for both daughters and sons. The data appear to support theory that suggests parents of the same sex as their children are stronger models for aggressive behavior (Bandura, 1986). In addition, there were some differences in perceived and self-reported data for ratings of parent verbal aggression. Results of this investigation indicate that perceived parent communication has a significant impact on young adult children's victimization and perpetration of violence in intimate partner relationships. The findings also suggest that interventions aimed at developing and enhancing parent communication skills can help prevent or reduce the risk of young adult children becoming involved in violent relationships, as well as reducing risk factors for other adverse health problems.