Is Increased Prostatic Urethral Angle Related to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Males with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms?

PURPOSE: The prostatic urethra is a bent tube, and the clinical significance of the prostatic urethral angle (PUA) was recently reported. We investigated the statistical significance of an increased PUA on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done of 270 men with BPH/LUTS from July 2009 to June 2011. Prostate volume, PUA, and intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) were measured by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). The IPSS was analyzed separately as storage and voiding symptom score. In order to minimize the effect of prostate size on voiding, patients with prostate size over 40 ml were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age was 62.0±9.3 years. The mean prostate volume was 29.0±5.5 ml (range, 20 to 40 ml), and median PUA and IPP were 34° (range, 12 to 52°) and 1.7 mm (range, 0 to 5.3 mm), respectively. The mean IPSS, mean IPSS-ss, and mean IPSS-vs were 19.0±8.2, 7.3±4.0, and 11.6±5.5, respectively. The prostate volume had no statistically significant correlation with IPSS, IPSS-ss, or IPSS-vs. IPP had a statistically significant correlation with IPSS (p<0.001), IPSS-ss (p<0.001), and IPSS-vs (p<0.001). PUA had no statistically significant correlation with IPSS or IPSS-ss. However, PUA had a significant correlation with IPSS-vs (p=0.047). Comparing a higher PUA (≥34°) with a lower PUA (<34°), patients with a higher PUA had a higher IPSS (p=0.001) and a higher IPSS-vs (p=0.001). There was no significant difference in IPSS-ss, prostate volume, or PSA between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: IPP showed significantly correlated with the IPSS and voiding symptom score was affected by the PUA but not by the prostate volume. As the PUA increased, the patients' voiding symptoms worsened. Further study may be needed.