Lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia and their impact on quality of life

LUTS is an acronym that refers to symptoms affecting the lower urinary tract, which are very common in elderly subjects (between 60 and 70%), and often associated with, but not always caused by, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). BPH is a chronic condition characterized by an increase in the number of cells, particularly in the transition area of the prostate. BPH involves a compression of the surrounding tissues, consequently obstructing vescical voiding. Nycturia and urgency represent the most prevalent symptoms and those with the greatest impact on quality of life measured as urinary-specific health-related quality. The prevalence of BPH is directly proportional to age; therefore, the absolute number of subjects affected is growing throughout the world. BPH is one of the most common medical conditions affecting those over 50. The overall cost for the diagnosis and treatment of BPH-related LUTS, in the US, has been estimated at approximately 1.1 billion US$/year, compared to total annual expenditure for urological conditions of some 9 billion and this cost continues to increase. The quick prostate test, which was developed by the Italian Urology Society (SIU), is an easy to use instrument that can be utilized in first-level screening for evaluation of the male population with LUTS. This test can be used both in patients not on pharmacological treatment and as a therapy-monitoring instrument. A positive response to one of the questions is sufficient for requesting a more in-depth investigation, which may provide indications on the therapeutic strategy to be taken.