[Benign prostate hyperplasia. Need to evaluate quality of life in the therapeutic process].
OBJECTIVE
To relate the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) to their repercussions on quality of life.


METHODS
Multi-centred, observational, prospective study.


METHODS
Primary care.


METHODS
Men with BPH in 2000-2003. Inclusion criteria were: agreeing to take part, being aged 50-79, and having moderate symptoms evaluated by means of the IPSS questionnaire.


METHODS
Previous treatment for BPH and having a chronic or disabling illness that might affect perception of quality of life. The presence of irritative and obstructive symptoms was appraised.


METHODS
The IPSS questionnaire appraising predominant symptoms and, through the last question, quality of life was self-administered. Descriptive statistics were worked out and differences in proportions of the different groups were analysed by the chi2 test, with differences taken as significant at P < .05.


RESULTS
We got 536 replies, with average age 66.2. Nycturia was the most common symptom, suffered by 88.1% of patients. A total of 256 patients (47.8%) had irritation as main clinical symptom, and 280 (52.2%), obstruction. On analysing repercussions on quality of life, it was found that obstructive symptoms were worse tolerated: 65.7% versus 9.4% of the group with irritation.


CONCLUSIONS
In treating BPH, we must bear in mind preferences of patients. They tolerate obstructive symptoms worse, and these are a criterion for referral to specialists and even surgery.
Bobé Armant
Francesc
F
EAP Tárraco. Institut Català de la Salut. Tarragona. España. elsmua@comt.es
Buil Arasanz
M Eugenia
ME
Allué Buil
Ana Isabel
AI
Morro Grau
Amàlia
A
Maxenchs Esteban
Mónica
M
Gens Barberà
Montserrat
M
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires