Longitudinal observations on normal and abnormal voiding in men over the age of 50 years

A cohort of 200 men over the age of 50 years was selected at random. Initially 112 men participated. After 5 years 61 were participating, and 2 years later 34 men still had no voiding problems, while 19 had had treatment for prostatism. A history was obtained and all 112 had symptom analysis and uroflow examination. The uroflow variables Qmax, Qave, Qmax-time, Q "corrected", volume and the ratio Qmax/Qmax-time were recorded together with the symptom score and subjective evaluation. After 5 and 7 years all primary data were reviewed in the 61 and 34 men respectively, while a full history was obtained in the rest. The 3 sets of data were evaluated separately as 3 cross-sectional investigations and as paired data sets by means of non-parametrical statistical analysis. Comparing the 3 sets of data longitudinally, significant differences were found in Qmax, Qave, Qcor and Acc. A correlation analysis showed that Qmax, Qave, Q "corrected" and volume decreases significantly with advancing age in asymptomatic men, while no correlation with age was found in the 19 treated men. On the basis of the 93 men, untreated for 7 years, nomograms of Qmax, Volume and Acc were constructed using 2.5, 25, 50, 75 and 97.5% percentiles in 5-year groups. Likewise, a nomogram on symptom score was constructed on the basis of the 82 men, asymptomatic and untreated for 7 years. In conclusion, uroflow in subjectively normal men over the age of 50 years shows increasing abnormality with advancing age. At the same time elderly men tolerate a considerable amount of symptoms of infravesical obstruction. The severity of symptoms increased with advancing age, but differently in persons likely and not likely to need operation.