Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Aka: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH

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II. Epidemiology

  1. Incidence of BPH increases with age
    1. Men aged 60 years: 50%
    2. Men aged 80 years: 88%
  2. Incidence of symptomatic onset is related to ethnicity
    1. African american men: onset at age 60 years
    2. Caucasian men: onset at age 65 years

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Prostate size increases with age
    1. Birth: few grams
    2. Age 20 to 55 years: 20-30 ml volume (normal)
    3. Age over 55 years: Increased growth (>40 ml volume is considered large)
  2. Prostatic Hyperplasia begins centrally (periurethral)
    1. Prostatic Hyperplasia compresses Urethra
    2. Results in urinary flow obstruction
  3. Prostate growth is hormonally regulated
    1. Testosterone converted to Dihydrotestosterone
    2. Dihydrotestosterone stimulates Prostate growth
    3. Estrogen also stimulates Prostate growth

IV. Risk Factors: Provocative factors for Urinary Retention

  1. See Medication Causes of Urinary Retention
  2. Conditions that may mimic BPH symptoms
    1. Urinary Tract Infection
    2. Overhydration
    3. Caffeine and other Diuretics
  3. Comorbid conditions associated with neurogenic Bladder
    1. Diabetes Mellitus
    2. Multiple Sclerosis
    3. Parkinson's Disease
    4. Sexual Dysfunction
  4. Post-operative pelvic floor Muscle spasm
    1. Herniorrhaphy
    2. Hydrocelectomy
    3. Perirectal Abscess
    4. Rectal Trauma or perineal Trauma
  5. Comorbid conditions predisposing to non-BPH related Urinary Retention
    1. Prior Urethral instrumentation
    2. Nephrolithiasis

V. Symptoms

  1. See International Prostate Symptom Score
  2. Obstructive uropathy symptoms
    1. Weak urine stream with decreased caliber
    2. Hesitancy starting urine stream
    3. Incomplete voiding Sensation
    4. Urinary Retention
      1. Double voiding (returning to urinate shortly after)
      2. Straining to empty Bladder
    5. Postvoid or terminal dribbling
  3. Irritative symptoms
    1. Dysuria
    2. Urinary Frequency
    3. Urinary urgency
  4. Increased urine Residual Volume symptoms
    1. Nocturia
    2. Overflow Incontinence
    3. Bladder palpable on exam
  5. Symptoms suggestive of alternative cause
    1. Fever
    2. Gross Hematuria

VI. Signs

  1. Digital Rectal Exam
    1. Findings suggestive of Prostate Cancer
      1. Asymmetry
      2. Induration
      3. Nodularity
      4. Diffuse firmness
    2. Findings suggestive of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
      1. Symmetric prostatic enlargement
      2. Smooth
      3. Firm but elastic
    3. Findings suggestive of Prostatitis
      1. Prostate tenderness
      2. Fever
  2. Abdominal and genitourinary exam
    1. Suprapubic swelling of distended Bladder
    2. Signs of Urethral Stricture
      1. Penile induration
      2. Penile nodularity
    3. Balanoposthitis
      1. Meatal stenosis (Diabetes Mellitus)
  3. Neurologic Exam (evaluate for neurogenic Bladder)
    1. Motor Exam of lower extremities
    2. Anal sphincter tone
    3. Sensory Exam of perineum

VII. Differential Diagnosis

  1. See Urinary Retention
  2. Medication Causes of Urinary Retention

VIII. Labs

  1. Urinalysis (Urine Dipstick with urine microscopy)
    1. Urinary Tract Infection
    2. Hematuria
  2. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
    1. Prostate Cancer
      1. AUA recommends if Life Expectancy >10 years
      2. See Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for Informed Consent discussion in obtaining PSA
    2. Evaluate Prostate size (determines efficacy for 5a-Reductase Inhibitor)
      1. PSA >1.5 ng/ml is a proxy for an enlarged Prostate
  3. Urine cytology
    1. Consider if risk of Bladder Cancer
  4. Renal Function Tests (Serum Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen)
    1. No longer recommended since BPH does not affect baseline renal disease risk
    2. Previously recommended to assess for Postrenal Azotemia

IX. Diagnostics

  1. See Urodynamics
  2. Transabdominal Ultrasound
    1. Assess post-void residual
    2. Normal residual urine <100 ml
  3. Other studies to consider
    1. Transrectal Ultrasound (Prostate size evaluation)
    2. Intravenous pyelogram (assess urinary obstruction)

X. Management: Conservative Measures for mild symptoms

  1. Limit night-time water consumption
  2. Weight loss (if Overweight)
  3. Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol intake
  4. Avoid provocative medications
    1. See risk factors above
    2. Avoid Anticholinergics (e.g. Antihistamines, Oxybutynin)
  5. Manage Constipation
  6. Pelvic Floor Exercise (Kegel Exercise)
  7. Observe for complications with annual examination
  8. Alternative Medications (low efficacy)
    1. Saw Palmetto 160 mg orally twice daily
      1. Mixed results from studies regarding efficacy (see Saw Palmetto)
      2. Initial studies suggested benefit, but 2006 Placebo-controlled study did not
        1. Bent (2006) N Engl J Med 354: 557-66 [PubMed]
      3. Did not reduce Nocturia, Peak Urine Flow, Prostate size or AUA Symptom Index for BPH
        1. Tacklind (2012) Cochrane Database Syst Rev (12): CD001423 [PubMed]
    2. Soy products (Isoflavone Genistein)
      1. Tofu contains high concentrations of Genistein
      2. Trinovin (OTC Genistein derived from red clover)
        1. Reduced BPH symptoms at 40-80 mg daily (small trial)
      3. References
        1. Lowe (2000) Patient Care 34:191-203 [PubMed]

XI. Management: Medications

  1. Indications
    1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Symptom Index 8 or higher
  2. Protocol: Combination option
    1. Consider for large Prostate and moderate obstructive symptoms
    2. First 2-3 months (allows for delay in 5a-Reductase Inhibitor activity onset)
      1. Alpha Adrenergic Antagonist and
      2. 5a-Reductase Inhibitor
    3. Next
      1. Continue 5a-Reductase Inhibitor
      2. Taper or discontinue Alpha Adrenergic Antagonist
  3. Alpha Adrenergic Antagonists (long-acting)
    1. Preferred over 5a-Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride)
    2. Non-Selective agents (antihypertensives, risk of Dizziness, Orthostatic Hypotension, Fall Risk)
      1. Terazosin (Hytrin)
      2. Doxazosin (Cardura)
      3. Prazosin (Minipress) is not recommended due to lack of evidence
    3. Selective agents (no Blood Pressure effect)
      1. Tamsulosin (Flomax) 0.4 mg (up to 0.8 mg) orally daily (generic)
      2. Silodosin (Rapaflo) 8 mg orally daily
      3. Alfuzosin (Uroxatral) 10 mg orally daily (generic)
        1. Alfuzosin ER is least likely to cause ejaculatory dysfunction of the selective alpha agents
  4. 5a-Reductase Inhibitor (Testosterone conversion inhibitor)
    1. Consider as adjunct to Alpha Adrenergic Antagonists (if not controlled after 4 to 12 weeks)
    2. Efficacy: See Finasteride
      1. Less effective than alpha blockade or surgery
      2. Maximum effect not reached until 6-12 months after starting
      3. Most effective in men with large Prostate (>40 ml)
        1. Digital Rectal Exam predicts size
        2. See PSA for estimating Prostate size
      4. Finasteride effective in reducing Gross Hematuria due to BPH (80%)
    3. Adverse effects
      1. Suicidal Ideation
      2. Gynecomastia
      3. Sexual Dysfunction (Finasteride)
      4. High grade Prostate Cancer (Finasteride, due to delayed diagnosis with lower PSA values)
    4. Agents
      1. Dutasteride (Avodart, Duagen) 0.5 mg orally daily
      2. Finasteride (Proscar) 5 mg orally daily
  5. Anticholinergic Agents
    1. May be used as an adjunct in combination with other agents above
    2. May reduce Bladder contractions and improve irritative urinary symptoms (urgency, frequency)
    3. Increased risk of Urinary Retention, although risk of acute urinary obstruction <1%
    4. Preparations
      1. Oxybutynin ER (Ditropan XL) 10 mg orally daily (generic)
      2. Fesoterodine (Toviaz) 4-8 mg orally daily
      3. Solifenacin (Vesicare) 5 mg orally daily
      4. Tolterodine ER (Detrol LA) 4 mg orally daily
  6. Other agents: PDE5 Inhibitor
    1. Tadalafil (Cialis) 5 mg once daily
      1. Improves symptom scores but not post-Residual Volume or max urine flow in metaanalysis
      2. Avoid in combination with alpha blockers (risk of Hypotension)
      3. Hatzimouratidis (2014) Ther Adv Urol 6(4): 135-47 +PMID: 25083163 [PubMed]

XII. Management: Acute urinary obstruction

  1. Evaluation
    1. Consider recent medications predisposing to urinary obstruction (especially Anticholinergics such as Antihistamines)
    2. Consider alternative causes of urinary obstruction (e.g. pelvic mass, neurologic disorders such as cauda equina)
    3. Urinalysis
    4. Prostate exam
      1. Assess size
      2. Exquisite tenderness suggests Acute Prostatitis
  2. Urinary Catheterization
    1. Indicated for complete obstruction with significant post-void residual
    2. Pre-anesthetize Urethra (e.g. Lidocaine jelly)
    3. Larger catheters may pass more easily than smaller catheters
    4. Plan follow-up with urology in following 7-10 days (earlier catheter removal may fail)
  3. Medications that decrease obstruction acutely
    1. Start agent with or without catheterization
    2. Alpha Adrenergic Antagonists (see above)
    3. Alfuzosin XL (Uroxatral) 10 mg daily for 2 days
  4. Medications - antibiotics
    1. Treat Acute Prostatitis if present
  5. References
    1. Henry (2013) Urology Rapid Assessment, EM Boot Camp, CEME

XIII. Management: Surgery

  1. Indications
    1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Symptom Index 20 or higher
    2. Failed medical therapy
    3. Refractory Urinary Retention
    4. Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
    5. Persistant Hematuria (gross or microscopic)
    6. Bladder stones
    7. Renal Insufficiency
    8. Bladder decompensation (decreased detrusor Muscle Contractions)
  2. Invasive Procedures
    1. Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
    2. Open Prostatectomy (rarely used for BPH alone)
      1. Very large Prostate size
      2. Large median Prostate lobe protruding into Bladder
      3. Urethral Diverticulum

XIV. Management: Surgery with minimally invasive procedures

  1. Advantages
    1. Lower complication rates
  2. Disadvantages
    1. Typically no tissue samples for histopathology testing
    2. Some procedures are less effective or have higher failure rates than TURP
  3. Procedures inpatient (with good efficacy compared with TURP)
    1. Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP)
      1. Indicated for BPH in smaller Prostate size (<30 ml)
    2. Transurethral Laser Induced Prostatectomy (TULIP)
      1. Ultrasound-guided Nd-Yag laser (or Holmium: Yag Laser)
      2. Shorter procedure and fewer complications than TURP
      3. Similar efficacy for large Prostates (>60 grams) as TURP at 2 years
      4. Wilson (2006) Eur Urol 50(3):569-73 [PubMed]
  4. Procedures outpatient
    1. Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT)
      1. Microwave probe heats to over 45 C)
      2. Safe, effective method for Urinary Retention relief
    2. Transurethral Vaporization of the Prostate (TUVP)
    3. Transurethral Electrovaporization Prostate (TVP)
    4. Hot Water Ballon Thermoablation
      1. Experimental procedure with good outcomes
      2. Minimal discomfort
  5. Procedures falling out of favor due to low efficacy or higher risk
    1. Transurethral Needle Ablation of Prostate (TUNA)
      1. High failure rate (23% at 5 years, 83% at 10 years)
      2. Rosario (2007) J Urol 177(3): 1047-51 [PubMed]
    2. Urethral stent
      1. Risk of infection and re-blockage
      2. Indications
        1. BPH patients with high surgical risk
        2. Short Life Expectancy
    3. Transurethral Balloon Dilation
      1. Rarely used due to high rate of symptom recurrence

XV. Complications

  1. BPH is not related to Prostate Cancer development
  2. Obstructive complications
    1. Postrenal Azotemia
    2. Hydronephrosis
    3. Bladder decompensation
      1. Overflow Incontinence
      2. Bladder hypertrophy
    4. Urosepsis

XVI. References

  1. (2022) Presc Lett 29(1): 2-3
  2. Cooner (1994) Prostate Disease, AAFP, p. 9-15
  3. Dornbland (1992) Adult Ambulatory Care, p. 249-52
  4. Macchia (Feb, 1997) Consultant, p.336-45
  5. Corica (2000) Urology 56:76-81 [PubMed]
  6. Donovan (2000) J Urol 164:65-70 [PubMed]
  7. Dull (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(1):77-84 [PubMed]
  8. Edwards (2008) Am Fam Physician 77(10): 1403-10 [PubMed]
  9. Guthrie (1997) Postgrad Med 101(5):141-62 [PubMed]
  10. Oesterling (1995) N Engl J Med 332(2):99-109 [PubMed]
  11. Pearson (2014) Am Fam Physician 90(11): 769-74 [PubMed]

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