The Immediate and 6-mo Reproducibility of Pressure–Flow Studies in Men with Benign Prostatic Enlargement

Male bladder outlet obstruction: Time to re-evaluate the definition and reconsider our diagnostic pathway? ICI-RS 2015

The diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in the male is dependent on measurements of pressure and flow made during urodynamic studies. The procedure of urodynamics and the indices used to delineate BOO are well standardized largely as a result of the work of the International Continence Society. The clinical utility of the diagnosis of BOO is however, less well defined and there are several shortcomings and gaps in the currently available medical literature. Consequently the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI-RS) held a think tank session in 2015 entitled "Male bladder outlet obstruction: Time to re-evaluate the definition and reconsider our diagnostic pathway?" This manuscript details the discussions that took place within that think tank setting out the pros and cons of the current definition of BOO and exploring alternative clinical tests (alone or in combination) which may be useful in the future investigation of male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. The think tank panel concluded that pressure-flow studies remain the diagnostic gold-standard for BOO although there is still a lack of high quality evidence. Newer, less invasive, investigations have shown promise in terms of diagnostic accuracy for BOO but similar criticisms can be levelled against these tests. Therefore, the think tank suggests further research with regard to these alternative indicators to determine their clinical utility.

[S2e guideline of the German urologists: Conservative and pharmacologic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

This report summarizes the relevant aspects of the S2e guideline of the German Urologists for the conservative and pharmacological treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Recommendations are given regarding watchful waiting, behavioral therapy, phytotherapy and pharmacological mono- and combination therapy. The influence of the different therapeutic options on bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is described in detail.

Air filled, including "air-charged," catheters in urodynamic studies: does the evidence justify their use?

AIMS

Air filled catheters (AFCs) have been actively marketed for the past few years and in some geographic areas are widely used. However, as the scientific basis for introduction of this technology for pressure measurement in urodynamics was not clear, a study group examined the evidence.

METHODS

A search of the peer reviewed literature was carried out.

RESULTS

Four papers were identified, of which two were laboratory experiments and two were clinical papers, in female patients, that compared the pressures recorded by AFCs and those recorded using the traditional water filled catheters (WFCs). These data show that there are differences between the pressures measured by the two types of catheters. As yet, the reasons for these differences are not clear.

CONCLUSIONS

There should be further systematic laboratory and clinical research before AFCs can be recommended for routine clinical use. We would recommend that a professional worldwide multidisciplinary scientific society, such as the International Continence Society, should work with manufacturers and regulatory bodies to ensure that this urodynamic method is properly scientifically evaluated, in the wider interests of patient safety.

Effects of tadalafil once daily on maximum urinary flow rate in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia

PURPOSE

Tadalafil significantly improves lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We post hoc characterized changes in the maximum urinary flow rate using integrated data from 4 international, placebo controlled studies of tadalafil once daily for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After a 4-week placebo lead-in period 1,500 men were randomized to tadalafil 5 mg or placebo for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA. Maximum urinary flow rate values were rank transformed for analysis.

RESULTS

Baseline maximum urinary flow rate data were available on 1,371 men with a mean age of 63.1 years and end point data were available on 1,197. Tadalafil 5 mg significantly increased maximum urinary flow vs placebo (median 1.1 vs 0.4 ml per second, p = 0.003). At a baseline voided volume of 125 to less than 250 ml the median change in the maximum urinary flow rate was 0.9 and 1.2 ml per second (p = 0.142) in 731 patients, at a baseline of 250 to 450 ml the change was -0.3 and 0.7 ml per second (p = 0.011) in 428, and at a baseline of greater than 450 ml the change was -0.2 and 2.0 ml per second (p = 0.186) in 38 for placebo and tadalafil, respectively. The difference was 0.3, 1.0 and 2.2 ml per second, respectively. At a baseline maximum urinary flow rate of greater than 15 ml per second in 128 patients the median flow rate change was -2.1 and -0.8 ml per second (p = 0.246), at a maximum of 10 to 15 ml per second in 522 the change was 0.2 and 0.8 ml per second (p = 0.044), and at a maximum of less than 10 ml per second in 547 the change was 1.2 and 1.8 ml per second (p = 0.189) for placebo and tadalafil, respectively. Tadalafil improved I-PSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) voiding subscores significantly vs placebo across all baseline maximum urinary flow subgroups (each p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This integrated analysis revealed a small but statistically significant median maximum urinary flow rate improvement for tadalafil vs placebo. The numerical difference in the maximum urinary flow change from baseline between tadalafil and placebo increased with increased voided volume.