title: A demographic profile of patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostate hyperplasia and presenting in acute urinary retention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate, in a prospective study, the demographic profile of patients with benign prostate enlargement who presented in acute urinary retention (AUR).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised all patients admitted for transurethral resection of the prostate and categorised into two groups, i.e. those presenting in AUR or electively. The factors evaluated included the length of hospitalization, the patients' occupation, their duration of symptoms and reasons for not seeking treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in the mean age and occupational status of the two groups but those in AUR had more complications and a longer hospital stay after surgery; 60% of these men had had their urinary symptoms for > 1 year. When asked why they did not seek treatment earlier, 35% reported fear of surgery, while 41% thought that their symptoms were a normal part of ageing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to raise the level of public awareness of benign prostatic enlargement because those who present with AUR incur excess morbidity and longer hospitalization that could otherwise be avoided through earlier treatment and elective surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. alfechin@singnet.com.sg
authors.forename: S-Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: C-M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000379:methods*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*