Correlation between Symptom Severity and Objective Parameters in Elderly Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Abstract

 Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are mostly due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in the elderly men. The severity of LUTS associated with BPH is measured with the international prostate symptom score (IPSS). Objective indicators of the disease severity in BPH are prostate volume, post void residual urine volume (PVRU), uroflowmetry values etc. However the correlation between the severity of subjective symptoms and objective parameters remains unclear. We designed this study to see if there actually is a correlation between the subjective symptoms and the objective parameters in evaluation of LUTS. Elderly male patients presenting with LUTS in the Urology OPD over a period of 10 months are enrolled in this study. These patients are asked to fill the IPSS with assistance if necessary from medical person. Prostate volume and PVRU are measured with trans-abdominal ultrasonography. Uroflowmetry evaluations are done to record maximum flow rate (Qmax) and average flow rate (Qave). Correlation of IPSS with age, prostate volume, PVRU and uroflowmetry parameters is evaluated using correlation regression analysis. Our results revealed significant positive correlation of IPSS with prostate volume and PVRU. Similarly there is significant negative correlation of IPSS with Qmax and Qave. Hence this study concluded that there is significant correlation between symptom severity and objective parameters in elderly patients with LUTS.