General practitioners as first line of defense in benign prostatic hyperplasia screening

摘要

Moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have a 40% incidence rate among men in their 50s and are considered one of the diseases with the highest medical and social impact among all urologic conditions [1,2]. BPH/LUTS affects the quality of life of both patients and their partners and is responsible for increasing health care costs [3]. According to epidemiologic data, a very large number of aging men seem to be seeking LUTS treatment; however, BPH and LUTS remain highly underdiagnosed. Increasing scientific evidence proves that LUTS develops as a consequence of the impairment of detrusor muscle function caused by bladder outflow obstruction; in most cases, obstruction has been disregarded for a long period of time [4].