Differential diagnosis of prostatism: A 12-year retrospective analysis of symptoms, urodynamics and satisfaction with therapy

Purpose: We determined the incidence of voiding symptoms, urodynamic etiology and satisfaction with therapy in a large cohort of men with prostatism during a 12-year period. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 2,845 consecutive men who underwent urodynamic evaluation between January 1982 and December 1994. Patients were divided into groups 1 and 2 according to the years of study (between 1982 and 1988, and between 1989 and 1994, respectively). Parameters of evaluation included prevalence and distribution of voiding symptoms, urodynamic etiology of symptoms and satisfaction with therapy (medical or surgical). Results: There was 843 evaluable patients 50 to 94 years old (mean age 63.2). Group 2 patients were younger, and had a 22% higher prevalence of nocturia and a 12% higher prevalence of daytime frequency. The prevalence of all other symptoms was the same in both groups. On urodynamics 523 patients (62%) had demonstrable evidence of bladder outlet obstruction of whom 345 (66%) had concomitant detrusor instability. Of the 843 patients 647 (77%) had detrusor instability, which was the sole diagnosis in 199 (24%). We noted low pressure/low flow in 137 patients (16%) and impaired detrusor contractility in 152 (17%), including 57 (7%) in whom the latter condition was the only diagnosis. Urodynamic findings remained the same during the entire 12-year period. Global satisfaction and symptomatic improvement were better with surgical than medical therapy, although the degree of satisfaction was independent of the urodynamic etiology of symptoms. Conclusions: Symptomatic men with prostatism are presenting with a greater prevalence of significant nocturia and daytime frequency than in the past with no change in urodynamic findings. In addition, patient level of satisfaction remains greater with surgical than medical therapy regardless of the urodynamic presence of bladder outlet obstruction.