Survey on benign prostatic hyperplasia distribution and treatment patterns for men with lower urinary tract symptoms visiting urologists at general hospitals in Korea: a prospective, noncontrolled, observational cohort study

Objective: To survey cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) among patients visiting urologists with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) at general hospitals in Korea and to investigate treatment outcomes in current clinical practice.

Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective study conducted in 18 urology centers in Korea. The symptoms of BPH were observed via the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), transrectal ultrasonography, uroflometry, prostate, specific, antigen, PSA) and postvoid residual volume at the baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and 52 weeks after initial evaluation. The patients were divided into three groups according to age (group I: 50-59; group II: 60-69; group III: 70 years or older).

Results: Of the 1054 screened men, 966 were enrolled and 917 were diagnosed with BPH. Total IPSS and storage subscores were significantly higher in group III than in group II or I. By month 12, significant improvements on total IPSS and voiding subscores were demonstrated in group I over groups II and III (P = .02. 03, respectively). The incidence of dual combination therapy was significantly higher in the patients whose prostate volume was ≥30 mL and whose PSA was ≥1.5.

Conclusion: At the initial visit, patients with LUTS/BPH, especially those who were relatively young, visited urologic centers because of to voiding symptoms rather than storage symptoms. In contrast, elderly men who visited the urologic centers complained not only of voiding symptoms but also storage symptoms. However, at 12 months' follow up, all of the age groups showed improvement in both storage and voiding symptoms.