Assessment, diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract symptoms in men

Lower urinary tract symptoms are very common and the approach to assessment and management has changed dramatically over the past few years. Previously referred to as prostatism, benign prostatic hyperplasia and bladder outflow obstruction, it is now recognised that in most men symptoms are due to a combination of benign prostatic enlargement and age-related bladder dysfunction. Most men require only simple tests for a diagnosis, with the more complex investigations reserved for when the diagnosis is not clear. Symptom bothersomeness and effect on quality of life are the critical factors when deciding how to treat a man. A cascade of treatments exists, including conservative management, medical therapy and surgery. A man moves up the cascade when the present management strategy fails to control symptoms. Traditional surgical techniques such as transurethral resection of the prostate are still appropriate for some men, although with improved medical treatments available the number of men undergoing surgery is declining.