Benign prostatic hyperplasia: epidemiology, economics and evaluation.
BACKGROUND
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is arguably the most common benign disease of mankind. As men age, the prostate inexorably grows often causing troubling symptoms causing them to seek out care. While traditionally treated by transurethral resection or open surgical removal of the hypertrophied adenoma, today the urologist has numerous medical, surgical and minimally invasive techniques available. In this supplement The Canadian Journal of Urology provides a review of the various techniques and medications available today.


METHODS
As an introduction to the supplement, the aim of this article is to review the epidemiology and economy of BPH as well as its natural history and diagnosis. A systematic review of available literature was looking for articles on BPH and its epidemiology, economics, natural history and management using PubMed database.


RESULTS
The prevalence of this condition is increasing with the population aging and so does the economic burden. The exact etiology of this condition is unknown, but some risk factors have been identified. The diagnostic and treatment of this very common disease should rely on a strong collaboration between primary care physician and urologist.


CONCLUSIONS
There are multiple options in treating BPH including medical, surgical and newer minimally invasive options. The challenge with having a variety of options is to review them with the patient and help the patient select the best treatment option for their condition.
Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Camille
C
Vuichoud
Kevin R
KR
Loughlin
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015994:Incidence; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States