How do urodynamics findings influence the treatment of the typical patient with overactive bladder?

Videourodynamic findings of lower urinary tract dysfunctions in men with persistent storage lower urinary tract symptoms after medical treatment

Objective

To analyze the underlying lower urinary tract dysfunctions by video-urodynamic studies in men who have persistent storage symptoms after initial drug therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods

The medical records of 614 men ≥40 years of age with LUTS and an International Prostate Symptom Score of ≥8 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had persistent storage symptoms after medical treatment for at least 6 months. A video-urodynamic study was done to investigate the underlying bladder or bladder outlet dysfunction. Predictors of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) by baseline urine flow metrics and prostate parameters were investigated.

Results

The final results revealed bladder neck dysfunction (BND) in 137/614 (22.3%), benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) in 246/614 (40.1%), detrusor overactivity (DO) in 193/614 (31.4%), and DO with detrusor underactivity (DO+DU) in 38/614 (6.2%) patients. Among the patients, 221/281 (78.6%) with a total prostatic volume (TPV) ≥40 ml had BOO, including 43/281 (15.3%) with BND and 178/281 (63.3%) with BPO. If we combined TPV ≥40 ml and Qmax <12 ml/s as predictors of BOO, BOO was found in 176/215 (81.8%) patients including 34/215 (15.8%) with BND and 142/215 (66.0%) with BPO. BOO was also found in 48.8% of men with a TPV <40ml, and in 36.3% of men with TPV< 40 ml and Qmax ≥ 12 ml/s. In 102 men with TPV <40 ml and Qmax ≥12 ml/s, 64 (62.7%) had DO.

Conclusion

BOO, including BND and BPO, comprise 62.4% (383/614) of men with persistent storage symptoms after initial medical treatment for LUTS/BPH. In men who have persistent storage symptoms after medical treatment for LUTS/BPH, BOO should be carefully investigated and appropriate management being given to improve LUTS.

Recent research on the role of urodynamic study in the diagnosis and treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary incontinence

Although evidence shows that urodynamic study may not improve outcomes, it can be used to evaluate men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) which have not been adequately delineated and treated. In young men with LUTS not responding to treatment based on clinical examination, or elderly men with LUTS and incontinence, a complete urodynamic evaluation is mandatory to understand the pathophysiology underlying LUTS, such as bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), detrusor overactivity, and detrusor underactivity. Preoperative urodynamic study-proven BOO is a predictor of a successful surgical outcome. An urodynamic study should be performed when patients with LUTS are planning to undergo surgical treatment for benign prostatic obstruction.

Current consensus and controversy on the diagnosis of male lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia

Traditionally, male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have been considered a synonym for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) because most male LUTS develops in aging men. Medical treatment should be the first-line treatment for BPH and surgical intervention should be performed when there are complications or LUTS refractory to medical treatment. Recent investigations have revealed that bladder dysfunction and bladder outlet dysfunction contribute equally to male LUTS. In the diagnosis of LUTS suggestive of BPH (LUTS/BPH), the following questions should be considered: Is there an obstruction? Are the LUTS caused by an enlarged prostate? What are the appropriate tools to diagnose an obstructive BPH? Should patients with LUTS be treated before bladder outlet obstruction is confirmed? This article discusses the current consensus and controversies in the diagnosis of LUTS/BPH.