Urodynamic characterization of lower urinary tract symptoms in men less than 40 years of age

Clinical epidemiology of young men with lower urinary tract symptoms: The SciCOM 3 project

Introduction

A study was performed to determine the most common and most bothersome symptoms and clinical associations in young men (18-40 years) presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted across 16 centers. Urinary symptoms, impact of bladder problems, bowel symptoms, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, bladder pain, non-bladder myofascial pain, and general well-being were assessed by validated questionnaires.

Results

A total of 448 men (median age 30 years) were included. Nocturia ≥1 (89.1%) and feeling of incomplete bladder evacuation (76.6%) were the most common symptoms while the most bothersome symptoms were daytime frequency and nocturia (median score 5; interquartile range 2-8, for both) on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Male LUTS questionnaire. Bladder symptoms were associated with severe or many severe problems (response 5 or 6, on the Patient Perception of Bladder Conditions Questionnaire) in 17.8% of the patients. Men between 18 and 20 years reported greater bother with their bladder condition. Normal erections and "very good" control over ejaculation were reported by 49.8% and 15.6%, respectively. Constipation and loose stools were reported by 22.8% and 12.9%, while bladder pain and non-bladder myofascial pain were reported by 72.5%, and 48.2%, respectively. 17.0% of the patients reported low scores on the WHO-5 Well-Being Scale. Two distinct patient clusters were identified. A larger cluster (63.9%) that presented with voiding symptoms and urgency but fewer sexual or pain symptoms, and a smaller cluster that showed pronounced sexual symptoms, pain, daytime frequency, and nocturia.

Conclusions

The most common urinary symptoms in young men are nocturia and a sense of incomplete evacuation. Daytime frequency and nocturia are the most bothersome symptoms. It is important to assess associated symptoms in young men presenting with LUTS.

Should we routinely assess psychological morbidities in idiopathic lower urinary tract dysfunction: ICI-RS 2019?

AIMS

Psychological morbidities play a major role in idiopathic lower urinary tract dysfunction (iLUTD). The aim of the Think Tank (TT) was to discuss the relevance of psychological morbidities in idiopathic LUTD over the life span, including overactive bladder (OAB) or dysfunctional voiding (DV) and methods of assessment.

METHODS

The paper is based on a selective review of the literature and in-depth discussions, leading to research recommendations regarding the assessment of psychological morbidities in iLUTD on children and adults held during the TT of the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society in 2019.

RESULTS

Psychological comorbidities affect the health behaviors and treatment outcomes in patients with iLUTD. Both clinically relevant comorbid mental disorders, as well as subclinical psychological symptoms have a major impact and negatively influence incontinence treatment. Research is needed to elucidate mechanisms underlying iLUTD and psychological comorbidities. Clinical studies are needed to determine how perception generation and cognition impacts on the relationship of urinary perceptions, symptoms, and objective urodynamic function. Due to high psychological comorbidity rates, screening with validated, generic questionnaires for emotional and behavioral disorders in children with nocturnal enuresis, daytime urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence is recommended. Brief screening is recommended for all adults with iLUTD, especially with OAB and DV, who are refractory to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the high rate and relevance in clinical practice, screening for psychological comorbidities is recommended for all age groups. The research recommendations of this TT may be followed to improve the assessment of psychological morbidities in iLUTD.

When should we use urodynamic testing? Recommendations of the Italian Society of Urodynamics (SIUD). Part 2 - Male and neurogical population

Recent studies in literature, have raised some doubts on the routine use of urodynamic testing. Many physicians and articles recommend a selective use of this tool, considering carefully risks and benefits. These recommendations are intended to guide clinicians in the right selection of the male and neurological patients to submit to a urodynamic evaluation. This is the second part of a previous article regarding the urodynamic recommendations in the female population. We reviewed the literature, regarding the use of UDS in male and neurological population with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Specifically, we analyzed and compared the guidelines and recommendations of the most important urology and urogynecology international scientific societies. These publications were used to create the evidence basis for characterizing the recommendations to perform urodynamic testing. A panel of 10 experts was composed and Delphi process was followed to obtain the panelist consensus. The final recommendations were approved by the unanimous consensus of the panel and compared with the best practice recommendations available in the literature. The recommendations are provided for diagnosis and management of common LUTS in male and neurological population. This review provides a summary of the most effective utilization of urodynamic studies for the global evaluation of patients with LUTS, and how to use them when really needed, avoiding unnecessary costs and patient inconveniences.

Role of videourodynamic study in precision diagnosis and treatment for lower urinary tract dysfunction

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are complicated and cannot be used alone to diagnose lower urinary tract dysfunctions (LUTDs) and guide treatment. Patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), impaired detrusor contractility, and hypersensitive bladder might present with voiding predominant symptoms, whereas patients with detrusor overactivity (DO), dysfunctional voiding, or BOO might also present with storage symptoms. To clearly identify the pathophysiology of LUTD, a comprehensive urodynamic study (UDS) including pressure flow and image during the storage and emptying phases, naming videourodynamic study (VUDS), is necessary. This study is especially mandatory in the diagnosis of (1) male LUTS refractory to medical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, (2) female voiding dysfunction and urinary retention, (3) diagnosis of overactive bladder syndrome refractory to first-line medication, (4) management of female stress urinary incontinence and postoperative LUTS, (5) diagnosis and management of neurogenic LUTD, (6) pediatric urinary incontinence and enuresis, (7) geriatric urinary incontinence, and (8) recurrent bacterial cystitis. Although VUDS should not be used as a screening test for any LUTS, it should be considered when the initial management cannot relieve LUTS, or when invasive surgical procedure is planning to undertake for patients with refractory LUTS. VUDS should be recommended as the second-line investigation when the initial diagnosis and treatment based on the symptoms alone or noninvasive tests fail to improve LUTS.

Does urodynamics predict voiding after benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery in patients with detrusor underactivity?

Objective

We sought to determine if urodynamic study (UDS) predicted voiding outcomes in men with detrusor underactivity (DU) and benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) who underwent photovaporization of the prostate (PVP).

Methods

Between September 2010 and July 2015, 106 male patients with BPE and DU were identified. All patients underwent PVP. Urinary retention was noted by the preoperative necessity for an indwelling or intermittent catheter. Data collection included comorbidities, quality of life (QoL) scores, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), UDS and perioperative outcomes. UDS parameters included volume at first desire to void, volume at first urge to void, volume of severe urge, volume at capacity, compliance, detrusor contractions, maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max), and postvoid residual (PVR).

Results

A total of 106 men were included in this analysis, who had urinary retention with a Foley catheter or clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) at the time of surgery. At baseline we found patients who voided had a detrusor pressure at Q_max (P_det@Q_max) of 10.05 ± 6.45 cmH₂O compared to 16.78 ± 12.17 cmH₂O in those who did not void (p = 0.071). Postoperatively, 96 (90.6%, mean age 76.9 ± 26.2 years) of patients voided successfully while 10 (9.4%, mean age 80.52 ± 9.61 years) of patients remained in urinary retention. Mean baseline Q_max was 4.895 ± 5.452 mL/s and 2.900 ± 3.356 mL/s (p = 0.087) in those who voided and did not respectively. PVR was 319.23 ± 330.62 mL in those who voided and 276.88 ± 263.27 mL (p = 0.344) in those who did not void. No UDS parameter predicted who would void postoperatively or improvements in QoL.

Conclusions

The patients with DU and BPE might be able to successfully void after undergoing PVP regardless of UDS findings. All men who voided had improved international prostate symptom score and QoL scores compared to baseline and these parameters were durable up to 12 months.

Video-urodynamic characteristics of non-neurogenic, idiopathic underactive bladder in men - A comparison of men with normal tracing and bladder outlet obstruction

Objective

Underactive bladder is frequently encountered in elderly patients. It may result from detrusor underactivity (DU) or low detrusor contractility due to a urethral sphincter inhibitory effect. This study analyzed the video-urodynamic study (VUDS) characteristics of patients with underactive bladder in a large cohort of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Methods

Male patients with LUTS who had failed the initial treatment were consecutively enrolled. All patients underwent detailed urological investigations including prostate measurement, free uroflowmetry, post-void residual volume (PVR) measurement, cystoscopy and VUDS. The VUDS characteristics of the men with underactive bladder were analyzed and compared with those of men with bladder outlet obstruction and normal tracing.

Results

A total of 1329 men who underwent VUDS were included in this retrospective analysis. After VUDS, the final diagnosis was DU in 165 patients, poor relaxation of external sphincter (PRES) in 525, bladder outlet obstruction in 501, and normal tracing in 138. VUDS findings in DU patients showed a slowly increased detrusor pressure, intermittent detrusor contractions, or early decline of detrusor contraction, resulting in a low maximum flow rate (Qmax), and large PVR. In comparison with the PRES groups, DU patients were older, had reduced bladder sensation, lower detrusor pressure (Pdet), lower Qmax, larger PVR volume, and lower voiding efficiency. Patients with urodynamic PRES also had low-pressure–low-flow tracings, but their bladder sensation was similar to that with normal tracing. DU patients with very low Pdet also had low detrusor tonicity, and more medical co-morbidities than the other groups did.

Conclusion

Idiopathic underactive bladder in elderly men could be attributed to urodynamic DU and PRES. DU is associated with old age, reduced bladder sensation, low voiding efficiency, and medical co-morbidities.

Recent research on the role of urodynamic study in the diagnosis and treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary incontinence

Although evidence shows that urodynamic study may not improve outcomes, it can be used to evaluate men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) which have not been adequately delineated and treated. In young men with LUTS not responding to treatment based on clinical examination, or elderly men with LUTS and incontinence, a complete urodynamic evaluation is mandatory to understand the pathophysiology underlying LUTS, such as bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), detrusor overactivity, and detrusor underactivity. Preoperative urodynamic study-proven BOO is a predictor of a successful surgical outcome. An urodynamic study should be performed when patients with LUTS are planning to undergo surgical treatment for benign prostatic obstruction.

Current consensus and controversy on the treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in men and increase with age. Because LUTS are common among elderly men, they are usually considered synonymous with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Drugs should be the first-line treatment for BPH and surgical intervention should be performed only when there are complications or LUTS refractory to medical treatment. In addition to medical treatment, several minimally invasive therapies, such as thermal therapy, prostatic lift, laser evaporation, or laser enucleation techniques have been developed. Recent investigations have also revealed that bladder dysfunction such as detrusor overactivity and detrusor underactivity may also contribute to male LUTS. In the treatment of LUTS suggestive of BPH (LUTS/BPH), the following questions should be considered: Is there an obstruction? Are we treating BPH or LUTS? Can management targeting BPH reduce LUTS? Should patients with LUTS be treated before bladder outlet obstruction is confirmed? What is the role of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) nowadays? Will new techniques provide better outcomes than TURP? This article discusses the current consensus and controversies in the treatment of LUTS/BPH.

The Value of Urodynamic Study for Diagnosing the Causes of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Male Patients: A Study From Iran

Background

Most disorders of the lower urinary tract are functional, so diagnoses are typically based on urodynamic findings. Treatment is likely to fail if the pathology is not correctly diagnosed.

Objectives

There are various diagnostic tests for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). In this study, we evaluated the value of urodynamic testing to diagnose the causes of lower urinary symptoms in male patients.

Patients and Methods

Urodynamic tests were performed in 407 patients referred to the urology clinic in Baqiyatallah in 2014 with complaints of LUTS, and the diagnosis was based on the findings of the tests.

Results

The mean age of patients in this study was 50.88 years, and most patients were in their third decade (20 - 30 years of age). Urinary frequency (28.8%), enuresis (22.22%), and incontinence (16.12%) were the most common complaints. The most prevalent disorder was bladder sensation disorder.

Conclusions

Patients made various complaints, and several pathologies were diagnosed, which emphasizes the importance of using urodynamic tests for subsequent medical approaches as a non-invasive, accessible, and inexpensive tool.