Korean urologist's view of practice patterns in diagnosis and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a nationwide survey.
OBJECTIVE
In Korea, there was no specific guidelines for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We reviewed the practice patterns of Korean urologists in the management of BPH and aimed to describe the need to develop specific guidelines.


METHODS
A probability sample was taken from the Korean Urological Association Registry of Physicians, and a structured questionnaire, that explored practice patterns in the management of BPH, was mailed to a random sample of 251 Korean urologists.


RESULTS
For the initial evaluation of BPH, most urologists routinely performed prostatic specific antigen (PSA) (96.4%), digital rectal exam (94.4%), international prostate symptom score (IPSS) (83.2%) and transrectal ultrasound (79.2%). Symptom assessment (36.4%) followed by transrectal ultrasound of prostate (TRUS) (20.0%) was considered as the most important diagnostic examination affecting the decision about individual treatment options. Almost all urologists (92.2%) chose medical treatment as the first-line treatment option for uncomplicated BPH with moderate symptoms. Of the respondents, 57.2% had prescribed alpha blocker and 41.6% alpha blocker plus 5-alpha reductase inhibitors as the medical treatment option for BPH. The prescription of 5-ARIs was dependent on the size of the prostate and the severity of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our current survey provide useful insight into variations in the clinical practice of Korean urologists. They also indicate the need to develop further practical guidelines based on solid clinical data and to ensure that these guidelines are widely promoted and accepted by the urological community.
Oh
Cheol Young
CY
Department of Urology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
Lee
Seung Hwan
SH
Yoo
Se Jeong
SJ
Chung
Byung Ha
BH
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014572:Urology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase