VIDEO
When does BPH need to be treated?
The need to initiate treatment for BPH is divided into absolute and relative indications. Absolute indications refer to objective medical reasons to intervene. These include impaired renal function because of prostatic obstruction, hydronephrosis or dilation of the ureters and kidneys, recurrent urinary tract infections, and bladder stones.
Impaired renal function, hydronephrosis or dilation of the drainage system of the kidney, recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and urinary retention are considered absolute indications for intervention.
These conditions are considered absolute because if left untreated they can cause harm to the patient. The relative indications refer to symptoms that may or may not be bothersome to an individual patient.
These include urinary frequency, nocturia (getting up at night to urinate), and decreased urinary stream. The reason that these are referred to as relative indications is that not all symptoms bother patients equally. For instance, getting up three times per night may bother one man a great deal and another not at all. Therefore, whether to treat these relative symptoms depends in large measure by how much they bother the individual patients.
Indications for BPH treatment
Absolute – Relative
Impaired renal function – Nocturia
Hydronephrosis – Urinary frequency
Recurrent UTIs – Urinary urgency
Bladder stones – Decreased force of stream
Urinary retention
Term:
Hydronephrosis – dilation of the kidneys, usually due to obstruction.
