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Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) etiology remains poorly understood, but chronic low-grade inflammation plays a role. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) (1-50 Hz) is effective in reducing tissue inflammation., Objectives: We designed a pilot study to evaluate the effects of PEMF on prostate volume (PV) in BPH., Materials and Methods: This is a prospective interventional trial on 27 naive patients with BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). At baseline (V 0 ), all patients had blood tests, transrectal ultrasound, and questionnaires (IPSS, IIEF-15) and received a perineal PEMF device (Magcell ® Microcirc, Physiomed Elektromedizin). PEMF was delivered on perineal area 5 minutes twice daily for 28 days, then (V 1 ) all baseline evaluations were repeated. Afterward, nine patients continued therapy for 3 more months (PT group) and 15 discontinued (FU group). A 4-month evaluation (V 2 ) was performed in both groups., Results: A reduction was observed both at V 1 and at V 2 in PV: PV V0 44.5 mL (38.0;61.6) vs PV V1 42.1 mL (33.7;61.5, P = .039) vs PV V2 41.7mL (32.7;62.8, P = .045). IPSS was reduced both at V 1 and at V 2 : IPSS V0 11 (5.7;23.2) vs IPSS V1 10 (6;16, P = .045) vs IPSS V2 9 (6;14, P = .015). Baseline IPSS was related to IPSS reduction both at V 1 (r s  = 0.313;P = .003) and at V 2 (r s  = 0.664;P < .001). PV reduction in patients without metabolic syndrome (ΔPV V1nMetS -4.7 mL, 95%CI -7.3;-2.0) was greater than in affected patients (ΔPV V1MetS 1.7 mL, 95%CI -2.69;6.1)(P = .017, Relative Risk MetS  = 6). No changes were found in gonadal hormones or sexual function., Discussion: PEMF was able to reduce PV after 28 days of therapy. Symptoms improved in a short time, with high compliance and no effects on hormonal and sexual function or any side effects. Patients with moderate-severe LUTS and without MetS seem to benefit more from this treatment., Conclusion: PEMF reduces PV and improves LUTS in a relative short time, in BPH patients. These benefits seem greater in those patients with moderate-severe LUTS but without MetS., (© 2020 The Authors. Andrology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.)

Purpose: To evaluate safety, efficacy and clinical outcomes after photovaporization of the prostate with the 180W-XPS Greenlight laser in patients with low urinary tracts symptom secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)., Materials and Methods: All 102 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms who underwent 180W XPS laser vaporization of the prostate from April 2017 to April 2018 were enrolled. The preoperative parameters, postoperative functional, uroflowmetry outcomes and complications were collected., Results: All patients were successfully treated with 180W XPS laser vaporization. Mean preoperative prostate volume was 81±28.7 ml and mean laser time was 28.2±12.5 minutes. No major complications intraoperatively or postoperatively were observed and no blood transfusions were required. Comparing to preoperative characteristics, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual (PVR) parameters were improved significantly and sustained during the follow-up period. At 3, 6 and 12-month follow-ups, mean urinary peak flow increased from 6.2±2.1 ml per second to 19.8±4.6, 19.4±4.7 and 19.6±4.9 ml per second, respectively. Mean International Prostate Symptom Scores decreased over time, from 28.9±4.5 to 8.2±1.6, 6.2±1.22 and 5.88±1.15 at 3, 6, 12 months, respectively., Conclusions: 180W XPS Greenlight laser vaporization is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH.

Objectives: To determine the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) severity and physical activity (PA) across workplace, home, and leisure domains. To determine the mediating role of prostate enlargement on LUTS severity and PA., Patients and Methods: The study included 405 men without prostate cancer or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. LUTS severity was ascertained using the American Urological Association Symptom Index and prostate size by ultrasonography. PA was assessed using validated questionnaires, with conversion to metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h/week to estimate leisure-time PA energy expenditure. Analysis used multivariable linear regression, controlling for body mass index (BMI), age, race, and treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, cardiovascular disease and diabetes., Results: Higher leisure-time PA energy expenditure and light housework activities were significantly associated with lower LUTS severity. Prostate volume was not significantly associated with PA in adjusted analyses, and controlling for prostate volume did not affect the association between LUTS severity and PA. Stratification by BMI showed a moderate interaction (P = 0.052), suggesting that PA was more strongly associated with LUTS severity among obese men., Conclusions: In this cross-sectional analysis, leisure-time and home-time PA was inversely associated with LUTS severity. The association between PA and LUTS severity was stronger for irritative symptoms and among obese men, and was not mediated through changes in prostate size. Our results indicate the need for further detailed investigation of PA and LUTS., (© 2012 The Authors BJU International © 2012 BJU International.)

Unlabelled: OBJECTIVE • To evaluate experience with high power LBO laser for large prostates, Patients and Methods: • Prospective database of 288 men treated with PVP from November 2006-2009 • 33 men identified to have transrectal ultrasound measured prostate size >120 cc • All but 9 men not in urinary retention or on anticoagulant medications • Average ASA Score 2.25 (range 1-4) with 11 having an ASA Score of 3 or more, Results: • Mean operating time and laser time 109 and 86 minutes respectively • IPSS, QoL and Qmax changes from baseline to 3 months for those not in retention were 24 to 8.6, 5.0 to 1.8 and 7.5 mL/s to 19.6 mL/s respectively • Post void residual in these men fell from a mean of 235 mL to 88 mL • Average fall in PSA was 38% for 22 men with paired PSA data • Post operative urinary retention in 4 men resolved. 2 late onset clot urinary retention, Conclusion: • Early results demonstrate PVP to be safe and efficacious on early follow up in a high risk group of patients with significantly enlarged prostates, anticoagulation and urinary retention., (© 2010 THE AUTHOR. BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2010 BJU INTERNATIONAL.)

Objective: • To evaluate the correlation between ultrasound-estimated bladder weight (UEBW) in patients with different degrees of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)., Methods: • We evaluated 50 consecutive non-neurogenic male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) referred to urodynamic study (UDS). All patients self-answered the International Prostate Score Symptoms (IPSS) questionnaire. After the UDS, the bladder was filled with 150 mL to determine UEBW. • Patients with a bladder capacity under 150 mL, a previous history of prostate surgery or pelvic irradiation, an IPSS score <8, a bladder stone or urinary tract infection were excluded. • After a pressure-flow study, the Schafer linear passive urethral resistance relation nomogram was plotted to determine the grade of obstruction: Grades I-II/VI were defined as mild obstruction, Grades III-IV/VI as moderate obstruction, and Grades V-VI/VI as severe obstruction., Results: • The UEBW was 51.7 ± 26.9, 54.1 ± 30.0 and 54.8 ± 28.2 in patients with mild, moderate and severe BOO, respectively (P= 0.130). The UEBW allowed us to define four groups: (i) UEBW <35 g; (ii) 35 g ≤ UEBW < 50 g; (iii) 50 g ≤ UEBW < 70 g; and (4) UEBW ≥ 70 g. • We did not find any differences in age, prostate weight, IPSS, PVR, cystometric bladder capacity, presence of detrusor overactive and degree of obstruction in the aforementioned groups., Conclusion: • Despite the fact that some studies have emphasized the value of UEBW as an efficient non-invasive method for evaluating lower urinary tract obstruction, our study suggests that UEBW does not present any individual correlation with LUTS or objective measurements of BOO., (© 2010 THE AUTHORS. BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2010 BJU INTERNATIONAL.)

Objective: • To assess the effects of combined therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin on voiding and storage symptoms compared with those of dutasteride or tamsulosin alone, using 4-year data from the Combination of Avodart and Tamsulosin (CombAT) study., Patients and Methods: • Men (n = 4844) aged ≥ 50 years with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a prostate volume of ≥ 30 mL, and a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 1.5-10 ng/mL. • CombAT was a multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group study. • Oral dutasteride (0.5 mg) or tamsulosin (0.4 mg) alone or in combination was taken daily for 4 years. • Mean changes from baseline in storage and voiding symptoms at 4 years were assessed using subscales of the International Prostate Symptom Score., Results: •  At 4 years, the mean reduction in the storage subscore was significantly greater in the combined therapy group vs the dutasteride (adjusted mean difference -0.43) and tamsulosin (adjusted mean difference -0.96) monotherapy groups (P < 0.001). • Also at 4 years, the mean reduction in the voiding subscore was significantly greater in the combined therapy group vs the dutasteride (adjusted mean difference -0.51) and tamsulosin (adjusted mean difference -1.60) monotherapy groups (P < 0.001). • The improvement in the storage subscore with combined therapy was significantly better (P < 0.001) than dutasteride and tamsulosin from 3 months and 12 months, respectively. Similarly, the improvement in the voiding subscore with combined therapy was significantly better than dutasteride (P < 0.001) and tamsulosin (P ≤ 0.006) from 3 months and 6 months, respectively. • Improvements in the storage and voiding symptom subscores with combined therapy were achieved irrespective of prostate volume, although in men with the highest baseline prostate volumes (≥ 58 mL), combined therapy was not better than dutasteride., Conclusions: • In men with a prostate volume of ≥ 30 mL, combined therapy with dutasteride plus tamsulosin provided better long-term (up to 4 years) control of both storage and voiding LUTS compared with tamsulosin monotherapy. • Combined therapy was better than dutasteride monotherapy in men with prostate volumes of ≥ 30 to < 58 mL, but not in men with a prostate volume of ≥ 58 mL., (© 2011 THE AUTHORS. BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2011 BJU INTERNATIONAL.)

Objective: To investigate whether bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), detrusor underactivity (DUA) and detrusor overactivity (DO) affect the long-term outcome of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for patients having lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction., Patients and Methods: Of 92 patients who had TURP after a urodynamic study between 1995 and 1997, 43 (47%) were alive at the time of the survey in February 2008. Nine patients were excluded because of prostate cancer, neurological diseases and the impossibility of symptomatic examination. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality-of-life (QoL) index were determined at baseline, 3 months, 3, 7 and 12 years after surgery for 34 patients., Results: Although the improved IPSS and QoL index at 3 months gradually deteriorated with time, patients at 12 years were still significantly better than those at baseline. The IPSS in patients without BOO deteriorated faster than in those with it, whereas neither DUA nor DO influenced the slope of change in IPSS. Regardless of the preoperative urodynamic findings, the QoL index remained improved for 12 years. Two-thirds of patients with DUA but not BOO were satisfied with their urinary condition at 12 years., Conclusion: The symptomatic improvement provided by TURP lasts for >10 years, although there is a gradual deterioration with time. The QoL index remained improved for 12 years regardless of the preoperative urodynamic findings.

Patients with elevated and/or rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA), minor lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and no evidence for prostate cancer on (multiple) extended prostate biopsies are a regularly encountered problem in urological practice. Even now, patients are seen with no objective explanation of this persistent elevated and/or rising PSA. So far, many strategic proposals have been elaborated and published to deal with this specific population including the use of different PSA derivates; applying different biopsy schemes--strategies--biopsy target imaging; diagnostic use of prostate cancer genes; and many more. In this review, we propose a new algorithm in which an urodynamic evaluation should be included since bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) can be expected. Once BOO is confirmed, a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can be offered to these patients. This procedure will result in subjective and biochemical improvement and allows extensive histological examination. Current literature was reviewed with regard to this specific population. This research was performed using the commercially available Medline online search tools and applying the following search terms: "diagnostic TURP"; "elevated PSA"; and "prostate biopsy". Furthermore, subsequent reference search was executed on retrieved articles.

Objectives: To characterize ultrasound bladder measures, and to determine whether these measures were associated with measures of lower urinary tract dysfunction., Methods: Three-dimensional ultrasounds were used to assess bladder surface area (SA), bladder wall thickness (BWT), and estimated bladder weight (EBW) in a random sample of the Olmsted County, Minnesota, male population. Uroflowometry was used to determine maximum urinary flow rates, and ultrasound was used to assess postvoid residual volume. Prostate volume was assessed with transrectal ultrasound and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were assessed from serum samples. Correlation and linear regression analyses assessed relationships between bladder measures and prostate volume, PSA, maximum flow rate, and postvoid residual., Results: Among 259 men, median bladder SA was 228 cm(2) (25th, 75th percentiles: 180, 279), median BWT was 2.3 mm (25th, 75th percentiles: 1.8, 2.7), and median EBW was 48.5 g (25th, 75th percentiles: 43.7, 53.0). Decreased bladder SA was correlated with increased PSA level, increased prostate volume, higher American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) scores (r(s) = -0.13 to -0.21; P = .03-.001), and decreased maximum flow rate (r(s) = 0.21, P = .001). Increased BWT was correlated with increased PSA level (r(s) = 0.22, P = .0003), increased prostate volume (r(s) = 0.17, P = .01), and decreased maximum flow rate (r(s) = -0.14, P = .03). Increased EBW was correlated with increased maximum flow rate (r(s) = 0.14, P = .03) and decreased AUASI score (r(s) = -0.13, P = .04)., Conclusions: Decreased SA and EBW were moderately associated with decreased maximum flow rate and increased AUASI scores, suggesting that such measures may provide insight into detrusor dysfunction.

Objectives: To retrospectively investigate the characteristics of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia for which surgery was needed during the past 20 years. In particular, the chronologic change in prostate volume at surgery and the status of alpha(1)-blocker use before surgery and its duration were studied., Methods: The data from 371 consecutive patients with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia who had undergone surgery in our institute from 1987 through 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. The number of surgeries, type of surgical procedure, content and duration of medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia before surgery, prostate volume on transrectal ultrasonography at baseline and at surgery, and the weight of the removed tissue were determined from the medical charts., Results: The number of surgeries suddenly began to decrease between 1987 and 1990 and again from 1991 to 1994, probably owing to the introduction of 2 nonselective alpha(1)-blockers at those times in Japan. The percentage of use of alpha(1)-blockers before surgery and the duration of use increased in each period. More than 80% of recent patients had received alpha(1)-blockers before surgery, with an average duration of 3 years. Recent patients had a large prostate volume at baseline and at surgery compared with previous patients. Corresponding to the large prostate, open subcapsular prostatectomy was indicated in 18% of the recent patients., Conclusions: Patients with surgical treatment after long-term use of alpha(1)-blockers had large prostates at baseline and at surgery. Although alpha(1)-blockers delayed the need for surgery by a few years, patients with a large prostate volume might finally need to undergo surgery.

Background: Need for undertaking prostate biopsies for detection of prostate cancer is often decided on the basis of serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA)., Aim: To evaluate the case detection rate of prostate cancer among patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on the basis of PSA levels and to assess the scope of prostate biopsy in these patients., Setting and Design: A retrospective study from a tertiary care center., Materials and Methods: The clinical and histopathological data of 922 patients presenting with LUTS in the last five years was obtained from the medical record section. They had been screened for prostate cancer using PSA and /or digital rectal examination examination followed by confirmation with prostate biopsy., Statistical Analysis Used: Detection rate and receiver operating characteristic curve were performed using SPSS 16 and Medcalc softwares., Results: The detection rate of prostate cancer according to the PSA levels was 0.6%, 2.3%, 2.5%, 34.1% and 54.9% in the PSA range of 0-4, 4-10, 10-20, 20-50 and> 50 ng/ml, respectively. Maximum prostate cancer cases were detected beyond a PSA value of 20 ng/ml whereas no significant difference in the detection rate was observed in the PSA range of 0-4, 4-10 and 10-20 ng/ml., Conclusion: A low detection rate of prostate cancer observed in the PSA range of 4-20 ng/ml in LUTS patients indicates the need for use of higher cutoff values of PSA in such cases. Therefore we recommend a cutoff of 20 ng/ml of PSA for evaluation of detection rate of prostate cancer among patients presenting with LUTS.

Objective: To determine associations of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and screen-detected localized and advanced prostate cancer., Subjects and Methods: A case-control study nested within the UK population-based ProtecT (Prostate testing for cancer and Treatment) study. Men aged 50-69 years were invited for PSA testing and those with a PSA level of >or=3.0 ng/mL were invited for biopsy. We determined whether LUTS were associated with a PSA level of >or=3.0 ng/mL and prostate cancer using logistic regression models adjusted for age, family history of prostate cancer and PSA level as appropriate. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were compared between models with and without symptoms., Results: In all, 65 871 men had a PSA test: 7251 had a PSA level of >or=3.0 ng/mL including 2467 subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer (2119 localized, 348 advanced). LUTS were positively associated with a PSA level of >or=3.0 ng/mL: odds ratios (ORs) were 1.18 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.01-1.38), 1.69 (95% CI 1.32-2.16), and 1.60 (95% CI 1.33-1.93) for daytime urination frequency (hourly vs less frequent), urgency and hesitancy (most/all the time vs never), respectively. LUTS among men with a PSA level of >or=3 ng/mL were negatively associated with prostate cancer: ORs were 0.44 (95% CI 0.22-0.83), 0.74 (95% CI 0.63-0.87), and 0.83 (95% CI 0.73-0.94) for nocturia (4+ vs 0), leakage and hesitancy (occasionally/sometimes vs never), respectively. LUTS improved the prediction of a PSA level of >or=3.0 ng/mL (AUC 0.635 vs 0.606, P < 0.001) and prostate cancer (AUC 0.661 vs 0.638; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: A history of LUTS before PSA testing marginally improves the prediction of an individual's risk for prostate cancer; men with a PSA level of >or=3 ng/mL and LUTS were more likely to be diagnosed with benign disease than prostate cancer.

Objectives: To investigate, using transrectal colour Doppler ultrasonography, (TRCDUS) whether perfusion of the bladder and prostate is reduced in elderly patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), common in later life, as experimental data suggest that chronic ischaemia has a key role in the development of LUTS., Patients, Subjects and Methods: In 32 elderly patients with LUTS (12 women, mean age 82.3 years, group 1; and 20 men, 79.4 years, group 2) perfusion of the bladder neck (in women) and of the bladder neck and prostate (in men) was measured using TRCDUS and the resistive index (RI) and colour pixel density (CPD) determined, assessed by a TRUS unit and special software. To assess the age-related effect two control groups of 10 young healthy women (mean age 42.3 years, group 3) and 10 age-matched healthy men (mean age 41.5 years, group 4) were also enrolled., Results: Irrespective of gender, there was markedly lower bladder perfusion in elderly patients with LUTS than in the younger subjects. The mean (SD) RI of the bladder neck in group 1, of 0.88 (0.06), and group 2, of 0.80 (0.08), was higher than in control groups 3, of 0.62 (0.05), and group 4, of 0.64 (0.09). The results were similar for the CPD measurements. The frequency of daily and nightly micturition showed a strong negative correlation with perfusion in the urinary bladder., Conclusion: In elderly patients with LUTS there was decreased perfusion of the bladder neck and prostate when assessed using TRCDUS. Therefore, decreased perfusion in the urinary bladder might be responsible for the development of LUTS with advancing age.

Objective: To investigate the tissue distribution of ischaemia in human detrusor in patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and to correlate the results with clinical variables, as clinical BOO is a common problem in ageing men and ischaemia might be important in detrusor dysfunction., Patients and Methods: From September 2004 to October 2006, 70 patients were recruited, comprising 60 scheduled for surgery to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (the study group) and 10 as controls. Detrusor tissue was retrieved and stained for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha, a cellular marker of hypoxia., Results: The mean (sd) total number of cells immunoreactive to HIF-1alpha in the study group was 93.3 (48.09), and in the specimens from the control group only few rare cells showed weak immunoreactivity to HIF-1alpha (0-2). Positive cells were in different proportions between muscle bundles and submucosa, expressed mainly in stromal cells. The urothelium and detrusor muscle showed no immunoreactivity to HIF-1alpha. There was strong immunoreactivity in patients with prolonged BOO (<10 years), declining thereafter, and in those patients with urinary retention., Conclusions: The urothelium and detrusor seem to be more resistant to hypoxic stress, while stromal cells perceive low oxygen tension. The bladder response to chronic hypoxia through HIF-1alpha expression is limited in time and might depend on the functional status of the detrusor.

Objectives: To investigate the information of voiding data in relation to symptoms and well-being in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to compare this information with that of prostate volume (Vprostate), maximal free urinary flow rate (Q(max,free)), and obstruction grade (OG)., Methods: We performed mandatory tests, recommended tests, and pressure-flow studies in 384 consecutive men with LUTS suggestive of BPH. We estimated nocturia, diuria, and mean voided volume (Vmean) from their voiding diaries. Symptoms and well-being were quantified by American Urological Association symptom index (SI), quality-of-life score (QoL), symptom problem index (SPI), and BPH impact index (BII). We investigated the influence of Vprostate, Q(max,free), OG, Vmean, nocturia, and diuria on SI, QoL, SPI, and BII. We re-evaluated 48 men 6 months after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). We analyzed the predictive value of preoperative Q(max,free), Vprostate, OG, Vmean, nocturia, and diuria for the improvements of SI, QoL, SPI, and BII after TURP. We studied the improvements of Q(max,free), OG, Vmean, nocturia, and diuria after TURP and the improvements of SI, QoL, SPI, and BII., Results: Prostate volume, Q(max,free), and OG were only slightly associated with SI, QoL, SPI, and BII, in contrast to Vmean, nocturia, and diuria. The predictive value of all parameters on the outcome of TURP was poor. Improvements of all parameters were strongly associated with improvements of SI, QoL, SPI, and BII after TURP., Conclusions: Voiding data should have a prominent role in the initial evaluation of men with LUTS suggestive of BPH.

Neurogenic inflammatory responses have recently been linked to both acute and chronic pathological conditions in the urinary tract. Neurogenic inflammation encompasses a series of vascular and non-vascular inflammatory responses, triggered by the activation of primary sensory neurons and the subsequent release of inflammatory neuropeptides, including substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide. The reduction of neurogenic inflammatory responses may be key in the mode of action of the adrenergic alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Indeed, the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist alfuzosin inhibits expression of the oncogene c-fos- a marker of nociceptive pathway activation - evoked by cyclophosphamide in rats. Capsaicin ameliorates urinary bladder symptoms through its stimulatory action on the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) calcium channel, resulting in desensitization of bladder sensory nerve terminals. Involvement of the TRP cation channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1) has also been reported in models of neurogenic inflammation and nociception promoted by the cyclophosphamide metabolite, acrolein. Blockade by alfuzosin demonstrates the beneficial effects of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists on neurogenic inflammation via the transient receptor potential family of ionic channels. Consequently, these drugs may have an important role in reducing LUTS.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine associations between diabetes and clinical markers of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in community-dwelling white and black men aged 40-79 years., Research Design and Methods: Data from the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status and the Flint Men's Health Study were combined for a total study sample of 2,484 men. Severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), peak urinary flow rates, prostate volume, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were examined by self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes., Results: Overall, 170 men (6.8%) reported a history of diabetes. Increased irritative LUTS and specifically nocturia were positively associated with diabetes. These patterns were consistent across race and persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, and various indicators of socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the relationship between irritative LUTS and diabetes was greater in black men. No significant associations were observed between diabetes and prostate volume, PSA level, and peak urinary flow rate., Conclusions: Our multiethnic community-based study demonstrates positive associations between diabetes and irritative LUTS and nocturia. Moreover, the association between irritative LUTS and diabetes is increased in black men. There was no strong evidence for an association between diabetes and BPH across measures more specific to BPH (i.e., prostate volume, PSA, and peak urinary flow rate). Taken together, our findings suggest that the presence of diabetes may be less related to prostate growth and more related to the dynamic components of lower urinary tract function. Further evaluations of the association between diabetes and BPH and related racial variations are warranted.

Objectives: Although glomerulation in the bladder mucosa when the bladder is overdistended is a finding suggestive of interstitial cystitis (IC), it is sometimes observed at transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). We prospectively investigated the incidence and clinical implications of glomerulation found at TURP., Methods: From December 2003 to October 2005, 197 patients aged 50 years or older who were considered to be appropriate candidates to undergo TURP for LUTS/BPH were investigated in this study. Just before beginning resection under spinal anesthesia, the bladder was filled to a water pressure of 80 cm and the capacity was measured. After evacuation of the fluid, careful inspection was conducted for glomerulation during refilling. Before TURP, and 3 and 12 months after TURP, the International Prostate Symptom Score and O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom and Problem Index were determined, and uroflowmetry and measurement of residual urine volume were performed., Results: Glomerulation was observed in 40 of the 197 patients (20.3%). There was no difference in bladder capacity between the glomerulation and nonglomerulation groups, although the glomerulation group was younger with lighter resected weight and a higher baseline IC problem index than the nonglomerulation group. There were no differences in other parameters before, 3, and 12 months after TURP between the 2 groups., Conclusions: Although glomerulation at TURP is a common finding, the clinical implications related to IC are unknown. Glomerulation itself may not be a predictor of the clinical outcome of TURP. Glomerulation observed during transurethral resection of the prostate for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common finding but no predictor of clinical outcome.

Objective: To present evidence that rats fed a high-fat diet could serve as a useful animal model to study both lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED), as recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between LUTS and ED but the physiological basis behind this relationship is unknown., Materials and Methods: In all, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: nine controls were fed a 'normal' diet and 15 were fed a high-fat diet (hyperlipidaemic rats). After 6 months all the rats had bladder and erectile functions evaluated using awake cystometry and cavernosal nerve electrostimulation, respectively. After the functional studies were completed, the penis, prostate and bladder were collected for immunohistochemical analysis., Results: The hyperlipidaemic rats had significantly higher serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein than the controls (P < 0.05). The hyperlipidaemic rats also had significantly worse erectile function (P = 0.004) and developed more bladder overactivity (P = 0.004) than the controls. In the hyperlipidaemic rats there was significant muscle hypertrophy in the peri-urethral lobe of the prostate (P < 0.001) and in the bladder (P < 0.05). There was also greater P2X(1) (purinoceptor) staining as well as other molecular changes in the bladder of the hyperlipidaemic rats., Conclusions: In this hyperlipidaemic rat model three abnormalities were consistently detected: prostatic enlargement, bladder overactivity, and ED. This rat model could be a useful research tool for understanding the common causes of LUTS and ED, as well as facilitating the development of preventive measures and better therapies to treat both conditions.

Background: Biopsy of the red patches in the bladder, when found at cystoscopy, is routinely performed in urological practice. This is done to establish the sinister diagnosis of carcinoma-in-situ among other causes., Objective: To analyse the pathology of the red patches and to determine if routine biopsy of these patches is warranted., Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted over a period of 36 months, in which 50 patients were identified, who underwent biopsies of their red patches. All patients with a history of bladder carcinoma and obvious bladder tumours were excluded from this study., Results: The mean age of the patients was 60.8 years. 25 patients had cystoscopy for lower urinary tract symptoms, 21 for haematuria and 4 for recurrent urinary tract infection. Carcinoma in situ was found in 4 (8%) patients, of whom only 2 had positive urine cytology., Conclusion: It is prudent to perform a biopsy of all incidentally diagnosed red patches because of a major yield rate of carcinoma in situ. This procedure also picks up other important pathologies, which help in further management.