The natural history of lower urinary tract dysfunction in men: Minimum 10-year urodynamic follow-up of untreated bladder outlet obstruction

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term outcomes of untreated bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), assuming that, if there is little or no deterioration, a conservative approach to management is justified, as there is little information on the natural history of untreated BOO and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men, and studies to date suggest that neither BOO nor LUTS inevitably progress to a stage at which prostatectomy is required. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men aged >45 years who were investigated in our department between 1972 and 1986, diagnosed with BOO, and who initially opted for no specific treatment were invited for repeat symptomatic and urodynamic evaluation. Identical methods of assessment were used, allowing results to be compared directly. RESULTS: In all, 1068 men were initially diagnosed with BOO; 428 (40%) of these died. Of the 170 men who initially opted for a conservative approach and attended for repeat assessment, 141 (83%) remained untreated, with a mean follow-up of 13.9 years. The only significant urodynamic changes were a reduction in detrusor contractility and an increased prevalence of detrusor overactivity. Most patients reported no change in their symptoms but a significant minority experienced a gradual deterioration. Of the 29 men in whom the conservative approach failed, 22 proceeded to surgery for LUTS, and seven for acute urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with untreated BOO do not significantly deteriorate urodynamically in the long term, with only a minority deteriorating symptomatically. These findings justify a conservative approach to men with LUTS associated with BOO. © 2005 BJU International

The natural history of lower urinary tract dysfunction in men: Minimum 10-year urodynamic follow-up of untreated detrusor underactivity

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term symptomatic and urodynamic outcomes of men with untreated detrusor underactivity (DUA) as there has been little long-term follow-up information on men with DUA, a cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a significant minority of men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Neurologically intact men aged > 18 years who were investigated in our department between 1972 and 1986, diagnosed with DUA, and who initially opted for no specific treatment were invited for a repeat symptomatic and urodynamic evaluation. Identical methods of assessment were used, allowing results to be compared directly. RESULTS: In all, 224 men were initially diagnosed with DUA; 87 (39%) of these died. Of the 69 men who initially opted for a conservative approach and attended for repeat assessment, 58 (84%) remained untreated, with a mean follow-up of 13.6 years. There were no significant changes in symptoms over the follow-up. The only significant urodynamic finding was an increase in the proportion of patients with detrusor overactivity, but with no apparent worsening of chronic retention. Of the 11 men in who failed the conservative approach , eight proceeded to surgery for LUTS, and three for acute urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide important information on the natural history of DUA. In men with DUA presenting with LUTS there are few symptomatic and urodynamic changes with time. © 2005 BJU International