Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Undergoing Pharmacological Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and

Objectives

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) can substantially impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We examined the relationship between LUTS severity, measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and HRQoL assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) in men receiving pharmacological treatment for BPH. Materials and

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study at the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina (May-July 2024). Seventy men aged 50-80 years on ≥1 year of pharmacological therapy for BPH were enrolled. LUTS severity was categorized by IPSS (mild, moderate, severe). HRQoL was measured across WHOQOL-BREF domains (physical, psychological, social, environmental). Group differences were tested with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests; associations were evaluated with Spearman's rank correlation; multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, and therapy type.

Results

Severe LUTS were associated with significantly lower HRQoL in the physical (p = 0.002), social (p = 0.007), and environmental (p = 0.008) domains compared with mild or moderate symptoms, while psychological scores did not differ. IPSS correlated negatively with the physical (ρ = -0.438, p < 0.001), social (ρ = -0.470, p < 0.001), and environmental (ρ = -0.449, p < 0.001) domains. In multivariable regression, IPSS remained independently associated with lower physical HRQoL (β = -0.768, p < 0.001), independent of age, socioeconomic status, and therapy type.

Conclusions

Greater LUTS severity is associated with poorer health-related quality of life in men receiving pharmacological treatment for BPH. Integrating comprehensive symptom assessment with HRQoL measures may enhance clinical evaluation and support more personalized management. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether symptom improvement translates into meaningful gains in quality of life.