Frequency/volume chart: the basic tool for investigating urinary symptoms.

Background: This article reviews the literature on the frequency/volume chart. The frequency/volume chart is the systematic registration of point of time of voiding and voided volume done by the patient in her own environment for a specified period of time, usually 24 or 48 hours. The chart can be supplemented with the registration of incontinence episodes. Measurements obtained from the frequency/volume chart include total voided volume/24 hours, frequency of micturition, mean voided volume, largest single voided volume and range of voided volumes.

Results: Normal values for these measurements as well as values for patients with stress incontinence and detrusor instability are presented.

Conclusions: The frequency/volume chart is a simple and inexpensive way of recording basic data, some of which can be obtained in no other way, e.g. total voided volume. The frequency/ volume chart has acceptable reproducibility but limited diagnostic capacity. It provides a basis for instituting treatment in many patients and provides the best tool for following the result of treatment in patients with the urge syndrome.