[How to evaluate BPH-related SBAUs in clinical practice and research?]

To describe the useful explorations in the clinical evaluation of the symptoms of the lower urinary tract symptoms possibly related to BPH (LUTS/BPH), and to list the information necessary to allow an evaluation of an instrumental or surgical intervention in the treatment of the hypertrophy and benign prostatic obstruction.

Bibliographic research in English using the European, American and French recommendations on the evaluation of BPH, supplemented by a Pubmed search.

A number of systematic investigations into the evaluation of a man with LUTS/BPH include interrogation, clinical examination with rectal examination, urinalysis, flowmeter and post-micturition residual volume. The voiding catalog is necessary to understand the mechanism of a nocturia. PSA has a triple potential of interest: evaluation of the risk of progression, evaluation of the prostatic volume and diagnosis of a cancer of the prostate. Creatinine is needed only when chronic retention is observed and before surgery. Urethrocystoscopy is essential in case of hematuria, suspicion of stenosis of the urethra or bladder tumor. Ultrasound for evaluation of prostate volume is essential before surgery, and may be helpful in guiding the decision to prescribe a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor. No non-invasive technique has proven its possible substitution for pressure flow studies when indicated. When a researcher is considering evaluating a surgical or instrumental treatment for BPH, preoperative, perioperative and follow-up parameters are expected from readers to get a fair idea of the technique being evaluated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 5: Consensus d'experts.