Obstructive uropathy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

In an attempt to determine the role of obstructive prostatic hyperplasia as a cause of irreversible renal function the records of 32 men with a diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia and renal failure were reviewed. Patients were classified as either having a serum creatinine of more than or less than 4 mg.per 100 ml. when they were discharged from the hospital. Admission serum creatinine levels were comparable in both groups. Characteristics of the group with permanently impaired renal function included a longer mean duration of symptoms, higher incidence of urinary tract infection, lower average volume of residual urine and greater incidence of small kidneys with increased parenchymal echogenicity. These data assist in the objective prediction of patients who will have irreversible renal dysfunction when presenting with obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia.