Can we use baseline characteristics to assess which men with moderately symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia at risk of progression will benefit from treatment? A post hoc analysis of data from the 2-year CONDUCT study

Is there a best timing for benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery?

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has shifted over the last decades, with medical therapy becoming the primary treatment modality while surgery is being reserved mostly to patients who are not responding to medical treatment or presenting with complications from BPH. Here, we aim to to discuss the optimal timing of surgical management of LUTS/BPH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted on Pub-Med/MEDLINE database to identify reports published from January 1990 until January 2022 by combining the following MeSH terms: "Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms"; "Prostatic Hyperplasia"; "Prostatic Hyperplasia/therapy"; "Prostatic Hyperplasia/complications"; "Treatment Outcome"; "Time-to-Treatment". Evidence supporting or not early surgical treatment of BPH was examined and reported in a pros and cons form.

RESULTS

The "pro early surgery" highlighted the superior efficacy and cost-effectiveness of surgery over medical treatment for BPH, as well as the possibility of worse postoperative outcomes for delayed surgical treatment. The "con early surgery" considered that medical therapy is efficient in well-selected patients and can avoid the serious risks inherent to surgical treatment of BPH including important sexual side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical trials comparing the outcomes for prolonged medical therapy versus early surgical treatment could determine which approach is more beneficial in the long-term in context of the aging population. Until then, both approaches have their advantages and patients should be involved in the treatment decision.

A Scientometric Visualization Analysis for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia from 2016 to 2022

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disorder leading to dysuria in middle-aged and elderly men and significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. Technology for BPH has made a great progress, while there is still a lack of visual and summary literature to make the summary.

SUMMARY

The aims of the study were to identify the cooperation of authors, countries, institutions, and explore hot topics' prospects regarding research of BPH. Relevant original articles were obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) database between 2016 and 2022. CiteSpace software was used to perform the analysis and visualization of scientific productivity and emerging trends.

KEY MESSAGES

A total of 4,738 articles related to study of BPH were identified. We observed a gradual increase in the number of publications from 2016 to 2022. The USA dominated the field in all countries. Shanghai Jiao Tong University was the most productive institution in 6 years. Active cooperation between countries and between institutions was not observed. Journal of Urology was the most co-cited journal. Roehrborn CG (41 papers) was the most productive author and had the largest numbers of citations (820 co-citations) during the past 6 years. Close collaboration was not observed between the different authors. The main hot topics included matters related to BPH, urinary tract symptom, prostatic urethral lift, thermal therapy, and prostatic neoplasms. This scientometric study comprehensively reviewed publications related to BPH during the past 6 years using quantitative and qualitative methods, which can be used to forecast future research developments in BPH.

Does a 55-year-old Male with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and a 50-ml Gland Have To Decide Between Ejaculation and Voiding Function?

Treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic obstruction may affect ejaculatory function. However, preservation of ejaculation via minimally invasive surgical therapies might impair the long-term durability of voiding improvement.

Is Early Surgical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Preferable to Prolonged Medical Therapy: Pros and Cons

Background and objectives: Treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has shifted over the last decades, with medical therapy becoming the primary treatment modality while surgery is being reserved mostly to patients who are not responding to medical treatment or presenting with complications from BPH. Here, we aim to explore the evidence supporting or not early surgical treatment of BPH as opposed to prolonged medical therapy course. Materials and Methods: The debate was presented with a “pro and con” structure. The “pro” side supported the early surgical management of BPH. The “con” side successively refuted the “pro” side arguments. Results: The “pro” side highlighted the superior efficacy and cost-effectiveness of surgery over medical treatment for BPH, as well as the possibility of worse postoperative outcomes for delayed surgical treatment. The “con” side considered that medical therapy is efficient in well selected patients and can avoid the serious risks inherent to surgical treatment of BPH including important sexual side effects. Conclusions: Randomized clinical trials comparing the outcomes for prolonged medical therapy versus early surgical treatment could determine which approach is more beneficial in the long-term in context of the aging population. Until then, both approaches have their advantages and patients should be involve in the treatment decision.

Monocentric single-arm study of desmopressin acetate efficacy on nocturnal polyuria in the elderly

AIM OF THE STUDY

We designed a retrospective, monocentric, observational study to assess the efficacy and short-term side effect profile of desmopressin, a synthetic analogue of antidiuretic hormone, in 42 elderly patients affected by nocturnal polyuria (NP), a subset of nocturia (nocturnal overproduction of urine at night), which is characterised by nocturnal urine volume (NVU) exceeding 33% of the 24-hours total urine output.

METHODS USED TO CONDUCT THE STUDY

The subjects had NP and included 25 males, which had benign prostatic hyperplasia (12 out of 25 had been surgically or endoscopically operated) and 15 females that had increased urinary frequency, night-time voiding, loss of bladder control and recurrent bladder infections, due to perineal wall weakness and vaginal or bladder prolapse. Patients recorded the number of voids during waking hours using a digital continuous urine meter. The quality of life (QoL) and efficacy of desmopressin were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Nocturia Quality of Life Module (ICIQ-Nqol) and International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire (IPPS-Q8). The dosage of desmopressin acetate varied according to the discretion of the physician, usually beginning with one tablet before going to bed at night for 3 months. The dose was increased at 1-week intervals if a reduction in the NVU or night-time frequency was not achieved.

RESULTS OF THE STUDY

We found that desmopressin treatment reduced the nocturnal voided volume (P < .0001), ICIQ-Nqol (P < .0001) and IPPS-Q8 (P < .0001). No significant serum sodium alterations or modifications in serum creatine, potassium, or body weight were observed in all the patients. No adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THE STUDY AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our findings show efficacy of desmopressin in the elderly for NP treatment supporting further clinical trials in larger cohorts of patients.

Differential impact of paired patient-derived BPH and normal adjacent stromal cells on benign prostatic epithelial cell growth in 3D culture

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease characterized by nonmalignant abnormal growth of the prostate, which is also frequently associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. The prostate with BPH exhibits enhanced growth not only in the epithelium but also in the stroma, and stromal-epithelial interactions are thought to play an important role in BPH pathogenesis. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of stromal-epithelial interactions in the development and progression of BPH is very limited.

METHODS

Matched pairs of glandular BPH and normal adjacent prostate specimens were obtained from BPH patients undergoing simple prostatectomy for symptomatic BPH. Tissues were divided further into fresh specimens for culture of primary prostatic stromal cells, and specimens were embedded in paraffin for immunohistochemical analyses. Proliferation assays, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting were used to characterize the primary prostate stromal cells and tissue sections. Coculture of the primary stromal cells with benign human prostate epithelial cell lines BHPrE1 or BPH-1 was performed in three-dimensional (3D) Matrigel to determine the impact of primary stromal cells derived from BPH on epithelial proliferation. The effect of stromal-conditioned medium (CM) on BHPrE1 and BPH-1 cell growth was tested in 3D Matrigel as well.

RESULTS

BPH stromal cells expressed less smooth muscle actin and calponin and increased vimentin, exhibiting a more fibroblast and myofibroblast phenotype compared with normal adjacent stromal cells both in culture and in corresponding paraffin sections. Epithelial spheroids formed in 3D cocultures with primary BPH stromal cells were larger than those formed in coculture with primary normal stromal cells. Furthermore, CM from BPH stromal cells stimulated epithelial cell growth while CM from normal primary stromal cells did not in 3D culture.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the stromal cells in BPH tissues are different from normal adjacent stromal cells and could promote epithelial cell proliferation, potentially contributing to the development and progression of BPH.

Physical activity for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic obstruction

BACKGROUND

Lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic obstruction (LUTS/BPO) represents one of the most common clinical complaints in men. Physical activity might represent a viable first-line intervention for treating LUTS/BPO.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of physical activity for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic obstruction (LUTS/BPO).

SEARCH METHODS

We performed a comprehensive search of multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP); checked the reference lists of retrieved articles; and handsearched abstract proceedings of conferences with no restrictions on the language of publication or publication status from database inception to 6 November 2018.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included published and unpublished randomised controlled and controlled clinical trials that included men diagnosed with LUTS/BPO. We excluded studies in which medical history suggested non-BPO causes of LUTS or prior invasive therapies to physical activity or that used electrical stimulation.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. We assessed primary outcomes (symptom score for LUTS; response rate, defined as 20% improvement in symptom score; withdrawal due to adverse events) and secondary outcomes (change of medication use; need for an invasive procedure; postvoid residual urine). We assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We included six studies that randomised 652 men over 40 years old with moderate or severe LUTS. The four different comparisons were as follows:Physical activity versus watchful waitingTwo RCTs randomised 119 participants. The interventions included tai chi and pelvic floor exercise. The evidence was overall of very low quality, and we are uncertain about the effects of physical activity on symptom score for LUTS (mean difference (MD) -8.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) -13.2 to -3.1); response rate (risk ratio (RR) 1.80, 95% CI 0.81 to 4.02; 286 more men per 1000, 95% CI 68 fewer to 1079 more); and withdrawal due to adverse events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.69; 0 fewer men per 1000, 95% CI 205 fewer to 345 more).Physical activity as part of self-management programme versus watchful waitingTwo RCTs randomised 362 participants. Pelvic floor exercise was one of multiple intervention components. The evidence was of very low quality, and we are uncertain about the effects of physical activity for symptom score for LUTS (MD -6.2, 95% CI -9.9 to -2.5); response rate (RR 2.36, 95% CI 1.32 to 4.21; 424 more men per 1000, 95% CI 100 more to 1000 more); and withdrawal due to adverse events (risk difference 0.00, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.06; 65 fewer men per 1000, 95% CI 65 fewer to 65 fewer).Physical activity as part of weight reduction programme versus watchful waitingOne RCT randomised 130 participants. An unclear type of intense exercise was one of multiple intervention components. The evidence was of very low quality, and we are uncertain about the effects for symptom score for LUTS (MD -1.1, 95% CI -3.5 to 1.3); response rate (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.94; 67 more men per 1000, 95% CI 87 fewer to 313 more); and withdrawal due to adverse events (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.57; 184 more men per 1000, 95% CI 9 more to 459 more).Physical activity versus alpha-blockersOne RCT randomised 41 participants to pelvic floor exercise or alpha-blockers. The evidence was of very low quality, and we are uncertain about the effects for symptom score for LUTS (MD 2.8, 95% CI -0.9 to 6.4) and response rate (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.15; 167 fewer men per 1000, 95% CI 375 fewer to 125 more). The evidence was of low quality for withdrawal due to adverse events; the effects for this outcome may be similar between interventions (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.06 to 12.89; 7 fewer men per 1000, 95% CI 49 fewer to 626 more).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We rated the quality of the evidence for most of the effects of physical activity for LUTS/BPO as very low. We are therefore uncertain whether physical activity affects symptom scores for LUTS, response rate, and withdrawal due to adverse events. Our confidence in the estimates was lowered due to study limitations, inconsistency, indirectness, and imprecision. Additional high-quality research is necessary.

Clinical Implications for the Early Treatment of Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE): a Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Therapeutic options for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) have considerably increased in recent years. However, the ideal timing to initiate medical treatment of LUTS/BPE has not been fully established. The aim of this review was to systematically collect available evidence on the influence of early treatment on the natural history of LUTS/BPE patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

A systematic literature search from January 1996 until April 2018 was performed by combining the following MESH terms: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Benign Prostatic Enlargement, male, medical treatment, surgical treatment, early treatment/intervention, and early intervention/treatment. The Medline, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched. Each article title and abstract was reviewed for relevance and appropriateness with regard to the topic of this review. In recent years, the medical armamentarium for the management of LUTS secondary to BPE has been extensively implemented, significantly improving treatment outcomes and markedly reducing the need for BPE surgery. Early intervention in patients at risk for disease progression may offer better clinical outcomes compared to a deferred approach. However, evidences supporting early treatment are scarce, and criteria to discriminate patients that could mostly benefit from immediate treatment remain poorly defined. Moreover, as a result of delayed surgery after prolonged medical treatment, patients undergoing surgical relief show larger prostates, older age, and comorbidities. Nevertheless, technological advancements in surgical techniques have largely counterweighed this critical scenario, and commonly, a non-pejorative trend has been reported in perioperative complications. The timeliest moment to start a medical treatment in LUTS/BPE patients is still undefined, and unexpectedly, peer-reviewed evidence remains scarce. Further studies are awaited to better discriminate patients who mostly benefit from early treatment of LUTS/BPE.