Enlarged prostate: A landmark national survey of its prevalence and impact on US men and their partners

Abstract

This questionnaire-based survey evaluated the frequency and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the prevalence of enlarged prostate (EP) diagnosis and its impact on quality of life and spousal relationships among 41000 American men aged 450 years. A quarter of men suffered moderate to severe LUTS and 55% of those consulting a doctor had EP. EP negatively affected patient quality of life and caused relationship strain with spouses. These findings confirm that LUTS and EP are prevalent in the US population, affecting both patient and spouse, and may help in developing management strategies for EP.

Sleep and partner-specific quality of life in partners of men with lower urinary tract symptoms compared with partners of men from the general population

“…This result and conclusion are compatible with other studies [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Inviting the partner to attend at the consultation has benefits for the couple.…”

“…In a population study, both men with an enlarged prostate and with moderate to severe LUTS symptoms and their partners experienced relationship strains such as lack of physical intimacy and lack of communication [5]. Shvartzman et al [6] telephone-interviewed 215 partners of men with prostatic symptoms and found that in 86% the husbands' urinary symptoms had consequences for the partners' daily routines, social relationships, sex life and quality of life.…”

The 5 Alpha-Reductase Isozyme Family: A Review of Basic Biology and Their Role in Human Diseases

“…Histological evidence of BPH is found in 50% of males by the age of 50 and 90% of males by the age of 80 [63]. The development of BPH depends on androgens, and BPH does not occur in men castrated prior to puberty [64].…”

Dutasteride significantly improves quality of life measures in patients with enlarged prostate

“…1 Many of these individuals develop lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with prostatic enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction. Men with enlarged prostates often experience progressive worsening of clinical symptoms over time, including decreased maximum urinary flow rate (Q max ).…”