title: CROATIAN UROLOGISTS' CLINICAL PRACTICE AND COMPLIANCE WITH GUIDELINES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NON-NEUROGENIC MALE LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the Croatian urologists' management of non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their compliance with the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines. A cross-sectional survey included 51/179 Croatian urologists. We developed a questionnaire with questions addressing compliance with EAU guidelines. The rate of performing recommended evaluations on the initial assessment of patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)/LUTS varied from 8.0% (serum creatinine and voiding diary) to 100.0% (physical examination, prostate specific antigen and ultrasound). The international prostate symptom score was performed by 31%, analysis of urine sediment by 83%, urine culture by 53%, and serum creatinine by 8% of surveyed urologists. Only 8% of urologists regularly used bladder diary in patients with symptoms of nocturia. Our results indicated that 97% of urologists preferred alpha blockers as the first choice of treatment; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI) were mostly prescribed (84%) in combination with an alpha-blocker, preferably as a continuous treatment, whilst 29% of urologists used to discontinue 5ARI after 1-2 years. Half of the Croatian urologists used antimuscarinics in the treatment of BPH/LUTS and recommended phytotherapeutic drugs in their practice. In conclusion, Croatian urologists do not completely comply with the guidelines available.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tomasković
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomić
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nikles
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Neretljak
authors.forename: Valerija
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Milicić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D017523:Croatia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003950:Diagnostic Techniques, Urological / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014572:Urology / Q000592:standards*