The Long-Term Relationship between a Real Change in Prostate Volume and a Significant Change in Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Severity in Population-Based Men: The Krimpen Study

Abstract Objective We used the database of a longitudinal community-based study to investigate whether real changes in prostate volume (PV) (ie, changes greater than the combination of intra- and interobserver variation of volume measurement) corresponded with significant changes in symptom severity. Methods In a community-based study of men aged 50–78 yr, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and PV were measured at baseline and at 4.2-yr follow-up. Of 1417 men, 864 completed both rounds. A significant change in IPSS was defined as a change of ≥ 4 points. A real change in PV was defined as a percent change of ≥ 26%, or an absolute change of ≥ 10 cc. Results After 4.2 yr, about 20% of the men had experienced a significant increase in IPSS and 16–23% had a real increase in PV. The age-adjusted odds ratio for a significant increase in symptom severity, which contrasts men who have a real increase in PV and men who do not show such an increase, is 1.38 (95%CI, 1.05–1.85]. The age-adjusted odds ratio for a significant decrease in symptom severity, which contrasts men with a real increase in PV and those without such an increase, is 1.50 (95%CI, 1.11–2.85). Conclusions Benign prostatic hyperplasia can be characterised as a progressive disease in a certain proportion of men older than 50 yr. Men with growing prostates are at a greater risk of symptomatic deterioration. Men who have prostates that do not grow significantly are more likely to improve symptomatically.