1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Anoop Agrawal, M.D.
Baylor College of Medicine
Med-Peds Continuity Clinic

2. Prevalence of BPH

3. AUA BPH Algorithm

4. Medical History Seven cardinal symptoms: urinary frequency nocturia
urgency
hesitancy
weak
straining to void
sensation of incomplete voiding

5. Initial Evaluation History Digital Rectal Exam & Focused Physical
Urinalysis
PSA
AUA Symptom Index Score

6. BPH: Diagnosis
Palpable prostate size does not correlate with a diagnosis of BPH, nor with degree of obstruction or the severity of symptoms.
Use urinary symptom scoring scale by the American Urological Association to aid with diagnosis.
consists of seven questions - each question grades severity of each symptom

7. Differential Diagnosis
Diabetes
UTI
Neurogenic bladder
Urethral strictures
Cancer (bladder or prostate)
Medication induced

8. Laboratory Testing Urinalysis PSA Optional tests:
urinary flow rate measurements
postvoid residual urine measurements
pressure flow studies

9. AUA Symptom Index

10. AUA Symptom Index: Interpretation
Classification:
Mild: 0-7
Moderate: 8-19
Severe: 20-35
The AUA score needs to be put in the context of whether the condition is or is not bothersome.

11. Treatment
Studies have found that over a follow-up period of 2.6 to 5 years, 16% men had stable symptoms and 38% improved over time.
Treatment choices must take into account:
Symptom Index Score
Effect on quality of life

12. Case One
A 62 yo man reports nocturia, frequency and urgency. His UA is negative, PSA is normal. His AUA Severity Index is 10. He states the symptoms are not very bothersome. What treatment options do you recommend?
A. Watchful waiting
B. alpha-1 blocker
C. 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
D. Surgical therapy

13. Case One
A 62 yo man reports nocturia, frequency and urgency. His UA is negative, PSA is normal. His AUA Severity Index is 10. He states the symptoms are not very bothersome. What treatment options do you recommend?
A. Watchful waiting
B. alpha-1 blocker
C. 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
D. Surgical therapy

14. Treatment
Though symptom score may be above the Mild range (0-7), initiating medical therapy is not warranted unless patient finds he is bothered by the symptoms.
May begin with behavior modifications:
reducing fluid intake at night
reducing consumption of mild diuretics (caffeine and alcohol)

15. Treatment Alpha-1 Blockers - common first line agent
Rapid onset, reduction in symptom score by 30-40%
Nonselective Alpha-1 Blockers
SE: dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, fatigue, asthenia; occurs in 7-9%
Selective Alpha Blocker (tamsulosin, alfuzosin) - less anti-hypertensive effect

16. Case Two
A 59 yo male presents with symptoms of BPH. His rectal exam reveals a enlarged prostate. You estimate at least 40 grams in size. His AUA score is 16. He reports the symptoms are very bothersome. What treatment options do you recommend?
A. Watchful waiting
B. alpha-1 blocker
C. 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
D. Surgical therapy

17. Case Two
A 59 yo male presents with symptoms of BPH. His rectal exam reveals a enlarged prostate. You estimate at least 40 grams in size. His AUA score is 18. He reports the symptoms are very bothersome. What treatment options do you recommend?
A. Watchful waiting
B. alpha-1 blocker
C. 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
D. Surgical therapy

18. Treatment: Case Two
5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) these require long-term treatment (6-12 months) before symptom improvement is seen
more effective in men with large prostate
Combination therapy with alpha-1 blocker and 5- alpha reductase inhibitors
found to be effective in men with severe symptoms or men with moderate symptoms and large prostate
Downside is that long-term safety of finasteride is unknown

19. Combination Therapy in BPH
McConnell, JD, Roehrborn, CG, Bautista, OM, et al. The long-term effect of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. N Engl J Med 2003; 349:2387

20. Case Three
A 65 yo man with moderate symptoms of BPH is worried about side effects from alpha-1 blockers and wants to know if any herbal remedies are recommended. What do you advise?

21. Case Three Complementary Medicine options
Genistein - an isoflavone found in tofu/soy products, found to decrease growth of hyperplastic prostate tissue in histoculture, marketed as Trinovin, dose 40 to 80mg qd.
Saw palmetto - few side effects, safe, dosage is 160mg bid
A 2006 prospective trial found no improvement in symptoms. Current recommendation is to avoid.

22. Case Four
A 55 yo man has been experiencing chronic intermittent hematuria for past several months. Urology performed a flexible cystoscopy revealing no evidence of malignancy or atypia. PSA is normal. What treatment option is available to suppress gross hematuria?
Finasteride - randomized trial of 57 men had lower rate of recurrent hematuria (14 vs 63%)

23. Surgical Treatments Open prostatectomy
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP)
Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT)
Transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP)
Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA)

24. AUA BPH Algorithm

25. Conclusion
Diagnosis based upon patient’s symptom index and affect on quality of life
Wide range of treatment options - discuss with patient benefits and risks.
Surgical therapy tends to be more effictive, but results in more residual side effects.

26. References
Bent S, et al. Saw Palmetto for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. NEJM 2006; 354:
Dull P, et al. Managing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Am Fam Physician 2002;66:77-84.
UpToDate 2009: Medical Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. (Accessed February 21 & 22, 2009).