INTRODUCTIONWe prospectively evaluated the staging of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) to decide transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) therapeutic modality and the final outcomes in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of BPH.

MATERIALS AND METHODSMale patients above 50 years old presented with LUTS suggestive of BPH were included in this study. The initial assessment included the International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS) and the Quality of Life (QOL) index, digital rectal examination (DRE). Transabdominal ultrasound was done to measure the prostate volume, intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) and the post void residual (PVR) urine. BPH was classified according to the degree of IPP using grades 1 to 3. The staging of BPH was performed according to the presence or absence of bothersome symptoms (QOL ≥3) and significant obstruction (PVR >100ml). Patients with stage I BPH with no bothersome symptoms and no significant obstruction were generally observed. Those with stage II BPH, bothersome symptoms but no significant obstruction, received pharmacotherapy in the first instance, and were offered TURP if symptoms persisted or worsened. Patients with significant obstruction, persistent PVR >100ml, irrespective of symptoms would be classified as stage III, and were advised to undergo TURP as an option. Lastly, those with stage IV (complications of BPH) were strongly recommended to undergo TURP.

RESULTSA total of 408 patients were recruited in this study and after a mean follow-up of 30 months (range, 6 to 84), 96 (24%) eventually had TURP. Sixteen (13%), 50 (21%), 28 (64%) and 2 (100%) patients who underwent TURP were initially diagnosed as stage I, II, III and IV, respectively. Eighty-seven (91%) of the 96 patients significantly improved to stage I BPH post TURP.

CONCLUSIONSThese results showed that the staging of BPH can assist in the tailoring of treatment for patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH, with good outcome in 91% post TURP.