Relationships between lower urinary tract symptoms and bladder outlet obstruction: results from the ICS-"BPH" study

Despite the lack of evidence in the literature for close relationships between lower urinary tract symptoms and bladder outlet obstruction, the majority of urologists rely on symptomatology when selecting patients for prostatic surgery. We investigated the relationships between a wide range of lower urinary tract symptoms from the ICSmale questionnaire and the results of urodynamic pressure and flow studies. We evaluated 933 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive for bladder outlet obstruction from 12 countries who participated in the ICS-"BPH" study with the ICSmale questionnaire and urodynamic pressure and flow studies. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were obtained between symptoms and measures of bladder outlet obstruction. There was little or no correlation between a wide range of symptoms and the results of free uroflowmetry and pressure and flow studies. From symptoms alone, it is not possible to diagnose bladder outlet obstruction. Pressure and flow studies and symptom profiles measure different aspects of the clinical condition that should be viewed separately in the evaluation and treatment decision of the patient presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.