Symptoms and quality of life versus age, prostate volume, and urodynamic parameters in 565 strictly selected men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the associations of symptoms and quality of life with age, prostate volume, and urodynamic parameters in a large group of strictly selected men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODS

The 565 consecutive men met all the criteria of the International Consensus Committee on benign prostatic hyperplasia and voided more than 150 mL during uroflowmetry. The residual volumes and prostate sizes were estimated. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality-of-life score were collected and urodynamic evaluations performed.

RESULTS

The prostate volume and obstruction grade were not, but low detrusor contractility and low bladder capacity were, significantly associated with symptoms. Except for nocturia, older men presented with lower voiding scores on the IPSS. The presence of a residual urine volume hardly influenced patients' symptoms and quality of life. Men with an unstable bladder scored higher on frequency, urgency, and nocturia on the IPSS, but the symptom index and quality-of-life score were not affected by the presence of an unstable bladder. Because of the high variability and subjective interpretation of symptoms and because urodynamic parameters may have opposite implications than symptoms and vice versa, associations were still weak.

CONCLUSIONS

Except for nocturia, older men had lower voiding scores on the IPSS. Prostate volume and obstruction grade were not, but low detrusor contractility and low capacities were, associated with the symptom index. The presence of an unstable bladder and/or residual volume was hardly associated with the symptom index or quality-of-life score. Although we used a large group of strictly selected men, the associations were still weak.