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BACKGROUND

BPH is the most common benign neoplasm in men, with more than 50% of men aged 60–69 years and as many as 90% aged 70–89 years having some symptoms of BPH. As life expectancy increases, so does the occurrence of BPH. In 2000, there were 4.5 million visits to physicians for BPH in the United States, with a direct cost of $1.1 billion (1).

LUTS are common complaints resulting from BPH, consisting of incomplete bladder emptying, frequency, intermittency, urgency, weak stream, straining, and nocturia. These symptoms are quantified by using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), which assigns a severity score of 0 to 5 to each of these seven symptoms. A total score of 0–7 is considered mild, 8–19 is moderate, and 20–35 is severe (2). An eighth question termed the “bother score” pertains to the patientperceived quality of life related to LUTS, ranging from 0 (delighted) to 6 (terrible).