Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Flashcards
What is the category of symptoms caused by Benign prostatic hyperplasia?
lower urinary tract symptoms
How are lower urinary tract symptoms categories and which symptom lies in each category?
Categories - voiding, storage, post micturition
Voiding - A weak or intermittent urine stream Straining Hesitancy Terminal dribbling incomplete emptying
Storage - Urgency, The need to pass urine often (frequency) Incontinence Nocturia
Post micturition- Dribbling
Which score is used to assess lower urinary tract symptoms?
International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
Score range of 0–35; higher score indicates worse symptoms
Mild symptoms - 0-7
Moderate symptoms- 8-19
Sever symptoms 20-35
In someone who has lower urinary tract symptoms, when should they be referred to a specialist? (4)
If the patient also has
- Recurrent or persistent UTI’s
- Urinary retention
- Renal impairment (suspected to be caused by lower urinary tract dysfunction)
- Suspected urological cancer
When someone presents with lower urinary tract symptoms what should your initial assessment include/ how do you diagnose the patient?
- Assessment of general medical history, including a review of current medication
General ‘focused’ physical examination including:
Abdominal examination (palpable or percussible bladder, enlarged or tender kidneys, tender suprapubic region for UTI) and external genitalia and digital rectal examination
(DRE)
Offer-
- Urine dipstick/ urinalysis (haematuria, urolithiasis, infection- UTI complicates prostatic hyperplasia)
- Frequency volume chart (voiding diary)- bothersome LUTS
- Creatinine and eGFR if renal impairment suspected (palpable bladder, nocturnal enuresis - bed wetting, Recurrent UTI, history of renal stones)
- Prostate specific antigen- offer information about PSA test (screen for prostatic cancer)
Bladder emptying (uroflow meter- low urinary flow rate <10-12mL/sec indicates failure in bladder emptying due to obstruction or detrusor muscle dysfunction)
Post void residual volume - assessed using an ultrasound. Post void volumes >24-50mL indicate impaired bladder emptying.
USS – Bladder enlargement, hydronephrosis, residual volume
IPSS to assess symptoms
When should a cystoscopy be offered?
Only in those with a sign of bladder abnormalities- storage symptoms
frank or microscopic haematuria
evaluate urological fistula
When should imaging of the upper urinary tract be offered?
Only in those with a sign of bladder abnormalities
renal dysfunction due to urological issues
Which tests should not be routinely offered to those with lower urinary tract infections?
Cystoscopy
Imaging of upper urinary tract
Flow rate measurement
Post void residual volume measurement
The treatment of mild to moderate lower urinary tract symptoms is based on the patients perception of symptoms- please explain further and describe the treatment options.
If the patient is not bothered by symptoms -
Offer active surveillance, life style advice
, review if symptoms change
If patient is bothered by symptoms -
Offer conservative management
- Supervised bladder training
- Advice on fluid intake
- Containment products (pads and collecting devices)
- urethral milking if terminal dribbling is symptom
Then drug treatment or surgery
Offer baseline assessment of symptoms e.g. IPSS
Which non pharmacological treatment options are available to those with LUS symptoms - voiding and storage?
- Supervised bladder training
- Advice on fluid intake
- Lifestyle advice
- Containment products
- Containment product as appropriate
- Intermittent bladder catheterisation before indwelling urethral or suprapubic catheterisation
(only if symptoms can not be corrected with other measures) - Men with post micturition dribbling should be shown how to perform urethral milking
If someone is suffering from incontinence caused by prostatectomy which additional non pharmacological treatment should be offered?
Supervised pelvic floor muscle training
Containment products
Which drugs are used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH) and what are the indications for each drug treatment?
Alpha blocker (Tamsulosin, Doxazosin, alfuzosin, terazosin) - Moderate to sever LUTS
5-Alpha reductase inhibitor (Finasteride) - LUTS and a prostate larger than 30g or PSA greater than 1.4ng/ml
Combination of the two- Bothersome moderate to sever LUTS, and a prostate larger than 30g or PSA greater than 1.4 ng/ml
Overactive bladder- anticholinergics if not appropriate or contraindicated give Mirabegron (beta 3 selective agonist)
Storage symptoms despite being treated with alpha blockers - give anticholinergics. Be carful with those with suspected bladder outlet obstruction
Nocturnal polyuria - late afternoon loop diuretics
What is the mechanism of action for 5-Alpha reductase inhibitor?
Decrease in dihydrotestosterone synthesis
Reduced androgenic drive of prostate
Reduction in prostate volume resulting in improved outflow
No effect on prostate volume, PSA or on natural history of
the disease
No effect on serious complications of BPH
What is the mechanism of action for Alpha blocker?
Blockade of α1-adrenergic
receptors in prostate, urethra, bladder neck and detrusor muscle causing smooth muscle relaxation
Relaxation of smooth muscle in prostate and bladder neck resulting in improved urinary flow
Name of the dual action 5-Alpha reductase inhibitor?
Dutasteride
What is the peak incidence age for BPH?
63-65
How much does a normal prostate weigh?
15-20 grams before the age of 40
After 40 the prostate begins to grow in size
If a patient presents with symptoms of BPH plus complications- which severity index would they be placed in?
Sever
What are the 3 main treatment goals when treating those with BPH?
- Control symptoms (3 point decrease in IPSS score)
- Prevent progression of BPH (prevent prostate getting larger)
- Reduce risk of complications