Intravesical prostatic protrusion correlates well with storage symptoms in elderly male patients with non-neurogenic overactive bladder

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between the subjective symptoms and parameters of urodynamic and imaging studies in male patients with non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB).Materials and methodsWe prospectively recruited male patients with OAB between January 2008 and June 2012. Patients with neurological comorbidities were excluded. We used the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) to evaluate subjective symptoms. All patients underwent pressure-flow urodynamic studies. All patients received transabdominal ultrasound, which provided the information about intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), prostate volume, and detrusor wall thickness (DWT).ResultsA total of 122 patients were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 72 ± 13 years. The mean total score, voiding subscore, and storage subscore of IPSS, and OABSS were 16.8 ± 7.3, 7.2 ± 4.8, 9.7 ± 3.4, and 9.8 ± 3.1, respectively. Total score, voiding subscore, and storage subscore of IPSS were all negatively correlated with catheter-free maximum and average flow rate. Furthermore, storage subscore of IPSS was negatively correlated with cystometric capacity, and positively correlated with postvoid residual urine. OABSS was negatively correlated with cystometric capacity and catheter-free maximum flow rate. In bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) patients, total score and storage subscore of IPSS and OABSS were positively correlated with IPP. There was no correlation between symptom scores and other urodynamic parameters, prostate volume, and DWT.ConclusionIn elderly male patients with non-neurogenic OAB, more severe storage symptoms are associated with a lower maximum flow rate and a more prominent IPP, indicating that a significant cause of male non-neurogenic OAB is prostate associated.