Benign prostatic hyperplasia. Part 1—Diagnosis

Abstract

What causes lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH?The pathophysiology of benign prostatic enlargement involves hyperplasia of the epithelial and stromal components of the prostate gland, which leads to progressive obstruction of urine flow and increased activity of the detrusor muscle.5 These secondary urodynamic changes are thought to result in the typical symptoms of bladder storage such as frequency and nocturia and voiding symptoms such as poor flow and intermittent stream. For simplicity, these complaints are grouped together as lower urinary tract symptoms. Although the precise relation between symptoms, prostate enlargement, and obstruction is not certain, removal of prostatic tissue in affected men improves symptoms, urodynamic function, and quality of life.