The Relationship Among Obesity, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Erectile Dysfunction in Korea Men

PURPOSE: Pathogenically, both erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are closely related to vascular problems, and vascular problems are closely associated with obesity. This study evaluated the relationships between obesity, BPH, and ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical history of male patients, aged > or =40 years, evaluated at urology outpatient clinics of 11 university hospitals in Korea with chief complaints of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/BPH and ED were retrospectively evaluated. The correlations of medical history, body mass index (BMI), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), prostate volume, International Index of Erectile Function -5 (IIEF-5), and serum testosterone level were assessed. RESULTS: Body mass index showed significant correlations with IPSS (r=0.087, p=0.003), prostate volume (r=0.384, p<0.001), IIEF (r=-0.072, p=0.015), and serum testosterone concentration (r=-0.303, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Body mass index correlates with testosterone concentration, prostate volume, and markers of LUTS and ED in men with the latter conditions.

Men With Severe Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Are at Increased Risk of Depression / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) comprise a set of common, bothersome symptoms in middle-aged and elderly men. Recent research suggests that depressive symptoms may influence the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We performed a community-based cross-sectional study to evaluate the correlation between LUTS and depression. METHODS: The survey was conducted in a rural community during four periods in August 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Two validated questionnaires were used to examine LUTS and depressive symptoms. These included the International Prostate Symptom Score/quality of life (IPSS/QoL) and the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D-K). Patients were categorized in the depressive symptom group if their CES-D-K score was >16 points. RESULTS: A total of 711 men were included in this study. Thirty-five participants (4.92%) were found to have depressive symptoms. There was a positive correlation between depressive symptoms and LUTS severity (P<0.001). As compared to the mild LUTS group, the odds ratio (OR) of depression was 2.868 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.293-6.362; P for trend<0.001) in the moderate LUTS group, and 4.133 (95% CI, 1.510-11.313; P for trend<0.001) in the severe LUTS group. In a model considering multiple variables such as age, education level, smoking, and exercise, the OR in the moderate LUTS group was 2.534 (1.125-5.708, 95% CI, P for trend=0.005), while that in the severe LUTS group was 3.910 (95% CI, 5.708-11.154; P for trend=0.005). In addition, depression was related to voiding symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Men with severe LUTS are at higher risk of depression than those with less severe urinary symptoms. The severity of voiding symptoms worsens depression. More aggressive urological diagnosis and treatment is needed in patients with severe LUTS, due to the impact on depressive symptoms and QoL.

The Effect of Two Weeks of Treatment with Dutasteride on Bleeding after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

PURPOSE: Dutasteride affects the prostate by reducing intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone and prostate tissue vascularity. We evaluated the effect of pretreatment with dutasteride for two weeks on perioperative and postoperative bleeding during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-three patients who had benign prostatic hyperplasia together with the criteria for eligibility for TURP were included. The dutasteride group consisted of 40 patients who were treated with dutasteride (0.5 mg/d) for two weeks before surgery, and the control group consisted of 43 patients who did not receive dutasteride. Blood loss was evaluated in terms of reduction in serum hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels, which were measured before, immediately after, and 24 hours after surgery. We also measured the durations of indwelling urethral catheter use, continuous saline bladder irrigation, and hospitalization. RESULTS: Lower mean blood loss was observed in the dutasteride group than the control group immediately after and 24 hours after surgery (DeltaHb=0.65+/-1.27 g/dL vs. 1.16+/-0.73 g/dL, 1.30+/-1.00 g/dL vs. 1.86+/-1.05 g/dL respectively, p=0.019, p=0.011; DeltaHct=1.89%+/-3.83% vs. 3.47%+/-2.09%, 3.69%+/-2.95% vs. 5.39%+/-3.23% respectively, p=0.016, p=0.011). In addition, there were fewer days of indwelling urethral catheter use (2.95+/-1.02 d vs. 3.92+/-1.14 d, p=0.000), continuous saline bladder irrigation (1.81+/-1.08 d vs. 2.36+/-1.06 d, p=0.016), and hospitalization after TURP (3.95+/-1.09 d vs. 4.76+/-1.19 d, p=0.001) in the dutasteride group. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative treatment with dutasteride for two weeks before TURP reduces surgical bleeding and length of hospitalization after TURP. This pretreatment can be used to decrease surgical bleeding associated with TURP.