Impact of benign prostatic hyperplasia on general well-being of men

Little is known about the impact of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on the general well-being of men with this condition. All men aged 40-79 years registered with a group general practice were enumerated. BPH was defined as enlargement of the prostate gland of equivalent weight > 20 g in the presence of symptoms of urinary dysfunction and/or a urinary peak flow rate < 15 ml/s, without evidence of malignancy. Four hundred and ten men (20% of those who participated) satisfied these criteria. The proportion of men with a negative feeling of well-being was higher in men with BPH than in men who did not have BPH. The difference was consistent for all aspects of well-being (anxiety, depression, self-control, vitality, being worried or being bothered by illness). Men with BPH had a higher level of bothersomeness attributed to urinary symptoms, and more interference in selected daily living activities caused by urinary dysfunction. These were related to worry or concern over urinary function and prostate cancer, together with a higher level of embarrassment caused by urinary dysfunction, compared with men who did not have BPH. Patients' feelings of well-being should be taken into account in the clinical management of BPH.