title: The short-term and long-term effects of radical prostatectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determined the long-term effect of radical prostatectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 1, 2000 and January 30, 2003, 587 men underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy. Of these men 453 completed the American Urological Association symptom index at baseline, and 12 and 48 months. Mean changes in American Urological Association total, voiding and storage symptom scores were ascertained between baseline and 12 months (short term), baseline and 48 months (long term), and between 12 and 48 months (natural history of lower urinary tract symptoms without a prostate). Symptom scores were ascertained independently for men with baseline mild vs moderate/severe lower urinary tract symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinically and statistically significant short-term and long-term improvements were observed in mean American Urological Association total, storage and voiding symptom scores for men presenting with moderate/severe lower urinary tract symptoms. The previously reported progression of lower urinary tract symptoms in the general population of men older than 40 years was not observed in our patients with an absent prostate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study provides compelling evidence that radical prostatectomy prevents the progression of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with and without baseline clinically significant lower urinary tract symptoms. This beneficial effect of radical prostatectomy on the natural history of lower urinary tract symptoms should be considered when weighing the risks and benefit of the treatment option for localized prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Denisa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Slova
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lepor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology