Study of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate after ineffective alpha-1 blocker treatment by non-urologists

We evaluated the clinical courses of 60 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) in our hospital after ineffective alpha-1 blocker treatment by non-urologists between January 2001 and September 2004. Overall severity just before TUR-P estimated by the criteria for severity in BPH was mild in 0%, moderate in 37%, and severe in 63%. Urinary retention was noted in 5 patients (8.3%). Nine patients (15.0%), four of whom had received an anti-cholinergic agent, had a residual urine volume over 200 ml. Excellent or good overall efficacy of TUR-P according to the criteria for efficacy of treatment in BPH was 86.7%. According to a questionnaire survey, only 28.9% of non-urologists in the Abashiri district had knowledge of the clinical practice guideline for BPH. We should strengthen the partnership among urologists and non-urologists to appropriately treat patients having BPH by using evidence-based information such as the clinical practice guideline.