Benign Prostatic Enlargement, the International Prostate Symptoms Score and a Review of Other Symptom Scores

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common benign prostate disease in elderly men, and its incidence increases with age and is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) is the most common symptom score used to assess LUTS even though other symptom scores exist. This study aims to evaluate the LUTS of patients secondary to BPH presenting to the urology clinic of UPTH using the IPSS and to review other scoring systems. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). All adult male patients with LUTS secondary to BPE were given an IPSS questionnaire to fill. Another IPSS questionnaire was filled by the patient assisted by the researcher. The data were collated using Microsoft Excel 2016 version and they were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results were presented in tables. Results: Sixty-nine (69%) patients had at least secondary level of education. Sixty-four (64%) could complete their questionnaire without any aid. The mean IPSS was 22.13 ± 6.34 as most patients presented with severe symptoms. The mean Quality of Life score was 4.60 ± 1.38. There was a significant positive correlation between Quality of Life and IPSS. Conclusion: A level of literacy is needed to complete the questionnaire. Most patients in our study presented late with severe symptoms and significant level of bother. Nocturia was the worst symptom.

The Self-Administered International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) Questionnaire of Kosovo Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been a major health problem for aging males because of its related symptoms and complications. Although it is not a life-threatening condition, BPH has an adverse effect on a patient’s quality of life, as manifested in community and clinical trials. Aim: The aim of the study was the perception of patients in their symptomatology by comparing the place of residence and quality of life in living with HBP using the IPSS questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This was a prospectively designed study conducted at University Clinical Centre of Kosovo—Urology Clinic. The study was conducted from October 2020 to January 2021. The study in criteria was as follows: all patients who presented to the urology outpatient clinic with BPH, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) and aged > 40 years. The exclusion criteria included the following cases: patients with uncontrolled diabetes (prostate-specific antigen > 4 ng/dL);patients with a history of transurethral resection of the prostate. Results: This study was carried out on 100 consecutive patients with HBP and LUTS attending. The largest proportion of patients 51% was in the 46 - 55 age group. Most patients were between 45 - 65 years of 51%. The largest number of them (52%) was with severe symptoms and 41% of them were with moderate symptoms. Comparing the three levels of IPSS and the quality of life of patients with HBP and LUTS, when asked how they would feel if they still had problems with urination, 22% said they felt upset, analyzing the categorization of patients according to IPSS: mild symptoms were Mean/SD (1.71. ± 1.113), moderate symptoms (2.9 ± 1.49) and severe symptoms (4.31 ± 1.27) p < 0.156. Statistical reliability of 64% p < 0.000 was in patients where they were interested in learning about any invasive option that would allow them to discontinue medication for LUTS. Conclusion: The IPSS is a valid instrument to assess the impact of BPH symptoms on health and quality of life due to urinary symptoms.

Relationship between serum sex hormones levels and degree of benign prostate hyperplasia in Chinese aging men

Benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） is one of the most common medical conditions in middle aged and older men. This study investigated the relationship between serum levels of sex hormones and measures of BPH in the aging male population of China. Prostate symptoms were assessed as part of a free health screening program for men ~40 years of age. The examination included digital rectal examination, determination of serum prostate-specific antigen levels, International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS） and transrectal ultrasonography. Serum levels of total testosterone （TT）, sex hormone binding globulin （SHBG）, free testosterone （FT）, luteinizing hormone （LH）, follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）, prolactin （PRL） and estradiol （E2） were evaluated. The men also completed a health and demographics questionnaire and received a detailed physical examination. The final study population consisted of 949 men with a mean age of 58.9 years. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that there were significant correlations between age and levels of all sex hormones except TT, and between age and prostate volume （PV; r=0.243; P〈0.01） or IPSS （r=0.263; P〈0.01）. Additional significant correlations were found between IPSS and serum levels of LH （r=0. 112; P〈0.01） and FSH （r=0.074; P〈0.05）, but there were no significant correlations between sex hormone levels and PV. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between age and body mass index （BMI） with PV （P〈0.0001）. In addition, there was a significant correlation between age and PV with IPSS （P〈0.0001）. Serum sex hormone levels did not correlate with PV or IPSS. The effects of endocrine changes on measures of BPH in aging men require further investigation in longitudinal and multicenter studies that include oatients with all severities of BPH.

Is there a correlation between the outcome of transurethral resection of prostate and preoperative degree of bladder outlet obstruction？

To compare the impact of transurethral resection of prostate （TURP） on symptom scores and maximal flow rates （Qmax） in patients with equivocal bladder outlet obstruction （BOO） and definite BOO and to assess the relationship between the surgical outcomes and degree of preoperative BOO, we prospectively evaluated men with lower urinary tract symptoms and bladder outlet obstruction index （BOO1） greater than 20, who were refractory to conventional medical treatment and underwent TURP. Urodynamic evaluation, International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS）, uroflowmetry, post-void residual volume （PVR） check and transrectal ultrasound were performed. 20〈B001〈40 was defined as equivocal BOO and BOO1 〉~40 as definite BOO. Changes of IPSS, Qmax, PVR and correlation analysis was performed between the degree of improvement of Qmax, subdomains of I PSS and BOO1. Fifty-four patients showed equivocal BOO and 80 patients showed definite BOO. Preoperatively equivocal BOO group and definite BOO group showed significant differences in maximal bladder capacity and prevalence of detrusor overactivity, whereas no difference was noted in prostate volume. Postoperatively both groups showed improvements in Qmax, obstructive （IPSSO） and irritative （IPSSI） subdomain of IPSS, but the degree of improvement in Qmax and IPSSI subdomain was statistically significantly greater in definite BOO group. The degree of improvement of Qmax and IPSSI showed weak correlation with preoperative BOO1. As a weak correlation was identified between preoperative degree of BOO and outcome of TURP, other factors other than BOO1 such as severity of patients＇ symptoms should be considered in deciding treatment modality.

Effect of nocturia in patients with different severity of obstructive sleep apnea on polysomnography: A retrospective observational study

Patients with suspected OSA were examined using PSG.They were divided into two groups based on the presence of nocturia.Nocturia was defined as a patient who needed to void at least once.Apneaehypopnea index(AHI)was employed to classify patients according to degrees of severity:AHI<5 events/h,5 events/hAHI<15 events/h,15 events/hAHI<30 events/h,and AHI30 events/h,defined as normal,mild OSA,moderate OSA,and severe OSA,respectively.Demographic variables,PSG parameters,International Prostate Symptom Scores(IPSSs),and quality of life scores due to urinary symptoms were analyzed.Results:In total 140 patients,114 patients had OSA(48 had mild OSA;34 had moderate OSA;and 32 had severe OSA)and 107 patients had nocturia.The total IPSS was significantly higher in nocturia patients in all groups except the group of severe OSA patients.With the increasing severity of OSA,more correlated factors related to nocturia were determined.In mild OSA patients,nocturia related to increased age(p=0.025),minimum arterial blood oxygenation saturation(p=0.046),and decreased AHI of non-rapid eye movement(p=0.047),AHI of total sleep time(p=0.010),and desaturation index(p=0.012).In moderate OSA patients,nocturia related to increased age(p<0.001),awake time(p=0.025),stage 1 sleep(p=0.033),and sleep latency(p=0.033),and decreased height(p=0.044),weight(p=0.025),and sleep efficiency(p=0.003).In severe OSA patients,nocturia related to increased weight(p=0.011),body mass index(p=0.009),awake time(p=0.008),stage 1 sleep(p=0.040),arousal number(p=0.030),arousal index(p=0.013),periodic limb movement number(p=0.013),and periodic limb movement index(p=0.004),and decreased baseline arterial blood oxygenation saturation(p=0.046).Conclusion:Our study revealed that there were more correlated factors related to nocturia with increasing severity of OSA.This study helps in clinical education and treatment for OSA patients with different severity.

Relationship between age and prostate size

In a community-based study, the relationship between age and human prostate size was investigated in a population of men between the ages of 40 and 70 years to determine the normal prostate increase curve equation. One thousand male volunteers were randomly recruited from the Shanghai community, and the length, width, height, volume of the transition zone （TZ） and the whole prostates were measured by transrectal ultrasound （TRUS）. Each volunteer was evaluated bythe International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS）. Among those who completed the examination, the mean prostate parameters were all positively associated with increased age. There were statistically significant differences between each age group （P〈O.05）. The mean transition zone volume （TZV） had a higher increase rate with age than the mean total prostate volume （TPV）, indicating that the enlargement of the TZ contributed the most to the increase in TPV. While all prostate parameters were positively correlated with the IPSS, the strongest correlation was associated with the TZ length （TZL） and TZV. The growth curve equations for prostate width, height and length were also positively associated with increasing

Menorrhagia and Uterine Volume Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Adenomyosis

Background： Adenomyosis is a gynecological disorder with symptoms most presenting as dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding. However, the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS） among women with adenomyosis remains unclear. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of LUTS and factors related to the severity of these symptoms in this population. Methods： From July 2016 to November 2016, a total of 298 untreated symptomatic adenomyosis patients and 280 age-matched controls were enrolled. Demographics, LUTS, pain symptoms, ultrasouographic uterine size, and serum CA125 level were recorded. LUTS were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS） questionnaire. Factors related to the severity of LUTS were detected using the logistic regression analysis presented as odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidence interval （CI）. Results： Compared with the control group, patients with adenomyosis had a greater IPSS total （4 [2-8] vs. 2 [0-3], Z = -8.159, P 〈 0.001 ）, IPSS storage （2 [1-4] vs. [[0 2], Z = -7.361 [P 〈 0.001）, and I PSS voiding （2 [0-4] vs. 0 [0-1], Z = -7.[94, P 〈 0.001）. Of the patients with adenomyosis, 30.2% had moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms （IPSS 〉8）. The most prevalent LUTS were daytime frequency （40.9%）, lbllowed by nocturia （24.8%）, weak stream （24.2%）, and incomplete emptying （23.5%）. In study group, patients with an IPSS total score ≥8 had higher proportion of menorrhagia （51.1% vs. 30.8%, χ2 = 11. 162 P = 0.025） and larger uterine volumes （183.3 [109.8-273.8] cm3 vs. 148.5 [96.4-262.7] cm3, Z=- 1.441, P = 0.150） compared to patients with an IPSS total score 〈8. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients with menorrhagia were associated with an increased risk of an IPSS total score 〉8 （OR： 2.309, 95% CI： 1.310-4.070, P= 0.004）, an IPSS storage subscore 〉4 （OR： 2.422, 95% CI： 1.395-4.206, P= 0.002）, and an IPSS voiding subscore 〉5 （OR： 1.971, 95% （CI： 1.176-3.302, p= 0.010）. However, patients with uterine volume more than 180 cm3 had more than 2-fold risk of bearing IPSS total score ≥8 （OR： 2.437, 95% CI： 1.381-4.300, P = 0.002）, 1PSS storage subscore 〉4 （OR： 2.486, 95% CI： 1.433-4.314, P =0.001）, and IPSS voiding subscore ≥5 （OR： 2.700, 95% （CI： 1.485-4.908, P=0.001）. Conclusions： Lower urinary tract synaptoms are prevalent in patients with symptomatic adenomyosis and greatly affect patients＇ quality of life. Menorrhagia and large uterine volume could be potential risk factors that increase the occurrence of moderate-to-severe LUTS.

Relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and objective measures of benign prostatic hyperplasia： a Chinese survey

Background The enlarged prostate leads to obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS）, which comprise frequency, urgency, weak stream, straining and nocturia. This study was conducted in a large series of patients to evaluate the relationship between LUTS as stipulated in the International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS） and the objective parameters related to benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH）.Methods We enrolled 1295 BPH patients from seven centers. The patients were either at first diagnosis of BPH or had discontinued medical treatment for at least 3 months. Those with several other diseases that may be potential risk factors affecting urinary symptoms were excluded from the study. Age, IPSS, prostate volume, peak flow rate, urine volume and post-voiding residual urine volume were measured. The relationship between IPSS and objective parameters were quantified by means of Spearman correlation coefficients. The differences in these parameters between the groups with mild, moderate or severe symptoms were also evaluated.Results Statistically significant correlations were found between IPSS and objective parameters by means of Spearman correlation coefficients. When the patients were divided into three groups with different severities of symptoms, there were significant differences in peak flow rate, urine volume, prostate volume, residue urine volume and quality of life, whereas average age and prostate-specific antigen levels were similar. However, there was evident overlap of these parameters between the groups. The same results were found when the irritative or obstructive subscore of IPSS was considered. Conclusions The correlation between objective parameters of BPH and LUTS is significant. However, it is hard to predict the severity of symptoms by these parameters.

Association between benign prostatic hyperplasia, body mass index, and metabolic syndrome in Chinese men

Previous studies have showed that men suffering from diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome （MetS） and obesity have a higher risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH）. The present study aimed to examine the association between BPH, obesity, and features of MetS among men of the Hunan area of China. For this cross-sectional study, 904 males （aged 50-59 years） were included. MetS parameters, International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS）, prostate-specific antigen （PSA） levels, total prostate volume （TPV）, postvoid residual volume （PVR） and maximum urine flow rate （Qmax） were measured. Results showed that MetS was associated with TPV （P = 0.048）, PVR （P = 0.004） and IPSS （P = 0.011）, but not with other indicators of BPH progression such as PSA levels or Qmax. MetS was associated with the voiding symptoms score （P〈 0.05）, but not with the storage symptom score. In addition, body mass index and fasting blood glucose positively correlated with TPV （r= 0.416, P〈 0.001; and r= 0.310, P= 0.011, respectively）. In conclusion, results suggest that MetS is associated with higher prostatic volume, prostate symptom score and voiding symptoms, but not with other features of prostatic hyperplasia such as PSA levels or Qmax. Changes in lifestyle factors, including physical activity and prevention of MetS, might be useful to prevent BPH and its progression, but further studies are needed.