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Summary Aims: To investigate the association between the self-perception period of OAB symptoms (SP-OAB) and the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), along with related sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study comprised of 192 men aged 40 years and older who participated in a prostate examination survey between February and May 2009 and proved to have OAB. Survey questionnaires included items on the OABSS and the SP-OAB assessed by the OABSS. Various sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were also included. Results: The average SP-OAB period was 24.72 ± 45.75 months and became significantly longer as the severity of OAB increased in correlation analysis (coefficient = 0.501, p

Summary Aims The purpose of this study was to develop a new sub-classification system for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)–mild, moderate and severe–using the conventional International Prostate Symptoms Score (I-PSS). Methods From October 2007 to March 2012, a total of 2234 male patients (≥ 50 years old) presenting with LUTS were enrolled in this study. Patients were sorted according to their I-PSS (ranging from 1 to 35 points) and divided into three groups based on their quality of life (QoL) score. A chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) algorithm, based on adjusted significance testing, was used. The Kappa coefficient was calculated for the agreement of original and new categorisation. Results Mean total I-PSS and QoL scores were 11.0 and 2.9 respectively. According to the original classification, 838 patients (38.6%) had mild, 1053 (48.5%) had moderate and 282 (13.0%) had severe symptoms. After the CHAID algorithm was applied, the scores were re-categorised as ‘mild’ (1–6 points), ‘moderate’ (7–21 points) and ‘severe’ (22–35 points). The overall model was able to correctly predict whether an I-PSS was associated with mild, moderate or severe symptoms, with 70.1% accuracy. According to this new classification, 704 patients (32.4%) were shown to have mild, 1255 (57.8%) to have moderate and 214 (9.8%) to have severe LUTS. The agreement of conventional and new categorisation is very strong (Kappa coefficient = 0.84). Conclusions Conventional categorisation of LUTS by I-PSS needs to be updated and the category of moderate LUTS should be broadened.

Summary Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and treatment satisfaction with low-dose (0.2 mg) tamsulosin in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to investigate individual lower urinary tract symptoms according to treatment satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total sample of 2574 patients from multiple centres. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate volume, uroflowmetry and combined medications were reviewed. Detailed questionnaires were used to assess treatment satisfaction and IPSS 8 weeks after treatment with low-dose tamsulosin. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment with low-dose tamsulosin, IPSS improved significantly. Among the 2574 patients, 1,630 (63.42%) were satisfied and 940 patients (36.50%) were dissatisfied with low-dose tamsulosin. The reasons for dissatisfaction included efficacy problems (84.66%) and side effects (3.72%). Treatment satisfaction was affected by symptom duration, baseline IPSS, and prostate size (p = 0.0441

SummaryAims To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy comprising a short-acting anticholinergic, imidafenacin and an alpha-blocker compared with monotherapy with an alpha-blocker only in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and storage symptoms. Methods The 12-week, prospective, double-blind, randomised trial enrolled men with LUTS and storage symptom. The inclusion criteria were a total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥12, an IPSS question 4 score ≥2, ≥8 micturitions in 24 hours, and a prostate volume >20 mL. The primary outcome was a change in the micturition number from baseline. Bladder diary variables, Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale (PPIUS) scores, IPSS and safety were assessed. Results Of 260 patients screened, 221 completed the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an alpha-blocker only (n=111, group 1) or combination therapy comprising an alpha-blocker and an anticholinergic (n=110, group 2) for 12 weeks. Group 1 and 2 showed significant improvement in their 24-hour micturition numbers (−1.87 and −2.08, respectively), nocturia episodes (−0.48 and −0.53, respectively), total IPSS (−9.9 and −8.8, respectively), and PPIUS scores (−0.19 and −0.24, respectively). Micturition number per 24 hours, daytime frequency, urgency, the PPIUS score, the IPSS question 4 score and IPSS QoL score improved significantly in the combination therapy group, but changes in total IPSS, nocturia episodes, and safety outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusions and clinical implications Compared with treatment with an alpha-blocker alone, combination therapy comprising an anticholinergic and an alpha-blocker showed superior efficacy and its safety was similar in patients with LUTS and storage symptoms.