Indenter study: associations between prostate elasticity and lower urinary tract symptoms

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Physics
• Prostate Health

Background:

• Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) significantly impact men's quality of life.
• Understanding the physical properties of the prostate, such as elasticity, may offer new insights into LUTS development.
• Prostate tissue elasticity has not been extensively studied in relation to LUTS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between prostate tissue elasticity and the presence and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• To determine if prostate elasticity is an independent predictor of LUTS, voiding symptoms, or storage symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A novel palpation system measured prostate elasticity (mean elastic modulus in kPa) in 48 patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.
• Prostate specimens were analyzed at 21 sites to determine mean elastic modulus.
• Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were assessed using the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) questionnaire prior to surgery.

Main Results:

• The median prostate elastic modulus was 20.8 kPa.
• Patients with a higher elastic modulus (>20 kPa) exhibited significantly higher incidences of LUTS and voiding symptoms.
• Higher prostate elasticity was independently associated with voiding symptoms (OR 1.18, P=0.038) after adjusting for age and prostate volume.

Conclusions:

• Increased prostate stiffness (greater elasticity) is associated with a higher likelihood of developing LUTS.
• Prostate elasticity is an independent predictor specifically for voiding symptoms, not overall LUTS or storage symptoms.