Review and Update of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in General Practice
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CLINICAL Review and update of benign prostatic hyperplasia in general practice Manasi Jiwrajka, William Yaxley, IT IS COMMON FOR MEN to present to a apnoea) as the cause of symptoms. The use Marlon Perera, Matt Roberts, general practitioner (GP) with symptoms of a frequency–volume chart or voiding Nigel Dunglison, John Yaxley, suggestive of bladder outflow obstruction, diary, and International Prostate Symptom Rachel Esler which is often due to benign prostatic Score (IPSS) tools, help to assess symptom enlargement (BPE). Benign prostatic severity and bother affecting quality of life hyperplasia (BPH) is the histological (QoL; Table 2).4 Background cause of BPE, which often results in lower The aim of physical examination Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common benign tumour in urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related is to exclude a palpable bladder as 1 men. Although men with BPH often to voiding, storage or post-micturition. well as phimosis, meatal stenosis or need medical or surgical management Not all LUTS in men are due to BPE, other pathology, including balanitis. from a urologist at some point and other causes of voiding dysfunction A digital rectal examination (DRE) is throughout the timeline of their disease, require exclusion (Table 1).2 Management recommended to evaluate the size of the most men are initially assessed and of LUTS due to BPE depends on symptom prostate and exclude a grossly malignant managed by a general practitioner (GP) severity or complicating factors and or hard prostate nodule suggestive of in the primary healthcare setting. includes observation (for men with prostate cancer, tenderness suggestive Objectives minimal symptoms), medical therapy, of prostatitis, and constipation.5 The aim of this article is to highlight minimally invasive surgical procedures, the principles of the pathogenesis, endoscopic prostatectomy and, presentation, assessment and Initial investigations occasionally, abdominopelvic surgery management of BPH in a primary care setting. for very large prostates. Initial investigations aim to exclude sinister causes of LUTS or complications Discussion Important history and of bladder outflow obstruction that Between 2009 and 2011, BPH was examination features require immediate treatment. Such managed by GPs at approximately investigations (Table 3) include urinalysis 228,000 general practice visits per International guidelines highlight the (to exclude haematuria, proteinuria and annum in Australia. Several changes in pharmaceutical agents and surgical importance of determining the severity of pyuria), serum creatinine and estimated intervention have occurred over the past LUTS and identifying complicating factors glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).6 Urine decade. As a result, it is imperative that such as urinary retention, macroscopic cytology should be considered in the GPs remain up to date with assessment haematuria, urinary tract infection (UTI) presence of haematuria, risk factors and management of BPH, are aware of or a personal or family history of prostate for urothelial carcinoma, or significant new therapies and understand when to cancer. Men may describe (i) voiding storage symptoms. In patients with refer to a urologist. (bladder emptying) symptoms such as moderate-to-severe symptoms or an weak stream, hesitancy and intermittency abnormal serum creatinine, a renal tract of flow or (ii) storage (bladder filling) ultrasound will show bladder capacity and symptoms such as urgency, daytime post-void urine residual volume, allow frequency and nocturia. A predominance for assessment for hydronephrosis and of storage symptoms would require provide an estimation of prostate volume.5 exclusion of other conditions such as Computerised tomography is not routinely primary bladder pathology/malignancy, recommended unless complicating features diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease are suspected.5,6 and medications with diuretic properties.3 Some men are concerned that their In cases where the primary complaint urinary symptoms may be due to an is nocturia, efforts should first be made underlying prostate cancer. Prostate- to exclude nocturnal polyuria (then specific antigen (PSA) testing remains associated factors such as obstructive sleep controversial both in Australia and © The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2018 REPRINTED FROM AJGP VOL. 47, NO. 7, JULY 2018 | 471 CLINICAL REVIEW AND UPDATE OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA internationally. The Royal Australian Medical therapy in men considering cataract surgery, College of General Practitioners (RACGP) given the increased risk of floppy iris recommends against PSA screening, Men with bothersome symptoms in syndrome.3,12 but acknowledges that the PSA debate the absence of complicating factors remains unclear and open to individual are appropriate candidates for a trial of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors interpretation.7 The Prostate Cancer medical therapy.6 Monotherapy is usually Foundation of Australia and Cancer initiated with an alpha-adrenoceptor 5-ARIs inhibit the conversion of Council Australia guidelines from 2016 antagonist. Combined therapy with a testosterone to dihydrotestosterone recommend PSA testing every two years 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) may (DHT) to reduce prostate growth and for men aged 50–69 years at average risk further improve symptoms in men with prostate volume.13 The most common of prostate cancer.8 This recommendation large prostate volumes. 5-ARIs prescribed on the Australian is supported by the Urological Society of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are Australia and New Zealand (USANZ). Alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists dutasteride and finasteride. Dutasteride inhibits type 1 and type 2 isoenzymes of Management Alpha-1 adrenoceptor blockade results in 5-alpha reductase, as opposed to type 2 smooth muscle relaxation in the prostate inhibition alone with finasteride.14 5-ARIs Treatment is mostly determined by and bladder neck.3 Uroselective agents, are most effective when prostate volume bother of symptoms, effect on QoL or such as alfuzosin, silodosin, tamsulosin is >40 mL.5 whether any complicating features are and terazosin, have been shown to The most common side effects of identified. A conservative approach, produce comparable improvement in 5-ARIs are erectile dysfunction, decreased with reassurance and behavioural symptom score and maximal urinary flow libido, decreased ejaculate and decreased modification, can be considered in men rate with fewer systemic side effects.3,11 sperm count.15 In contrast to the rapid with mild, non-bothersome LUTS and Prazosin is cheaper than other agents and onset of action of alpha-adrenoceptor normal baseline investigations, as their is commonly used but has a less favourable antagonists, 5-ARIs can take several risk of progression is low.9,10 Behavioural side-effect profile and requires multiple months before maximum improvement modifications include reducing diuretics daily dosing; thus, it is not recommended in symptoms is obtained.1 Men should be (caffeine, alcohol), bladder irritants by international BPH guidelines.3 warned that 5-ARI therapy can decrease (acidic, spicy foods), evening fluid intake Men should be warned of the PSA levels by approximately 50% after and constipation.9,10 Bladder training and side effects of alpha-adrenoceptor 6–12 months of treatment.16,17 As a result, pelvic floor exercises may improve bladder antagonists, including retrograde in men on a 5-ARI, an increase in PSA capacity and reduce storage symptoms. ejaculation (higher with uroselective above the nadir should prompt closer A yearly GP review of symptoms, with agents), erectile dysfunction, nasal evaluation of PSA levels to exclude an urinalysis and creatinine/eGFR, is congestion, hypotension, dizziness and upward trend suggestive of prostate suggested to monitor for progression.2 tachycardia.1 Caution is also required cancer, rather than waiting for the PSA to be elevated outside the reference range before considering urological evaluation. Table 1. Differential diagnoses for lower urinary tract symptoms Combination therapy Benign and neoplastic Neurological Other causes of lower conditions of the lower conditions urinary tract symptoms Since 2016, tamsulosin plus dutasteride urinary tract has been available to GPs to prescribe as a • Urinary tract infection • Parkinson’s disease • Polyuria from renal or combined formulation without specialist • Prostatitis • Stroke/cerebrovascular cardiac dysfunction approval.18 This fixed-dose combination • Bladder calculi accident • Nocturnal polyuria and is subsidised by the PBS and therefore sleep apnoea • Interstitial cystitis • Multiple sclerosis available at a lower cost than both agents • Iatrogenic from 2 • Urethral stricture • Cerebral atrophy separately. medications • Phimosis • Head injury Two randomised controlled trials of more than 3000 men compared • Overactive bladder • Spinal cord injury/ syndrome surgery or degenerative combination therapy with monotherapy. disc disease • Prostate cancer Overall, combination therapy was • Prior pelvic surgery superior to either alpha-adrenoceptor • Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder including antagonist or 5-ARI therapy alone carcinoma in situ in improving LUTS and reducing 12 • Urethral cancer progression. For men with a prostate volume of >40 mL and a PSA of >1.5, 472 | REPRINTED FROM AJGP VOL. 47, NO. 7, JULY 2018 © The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2018 REVIEW AND UPDATE OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA CLINICAL