The Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Registry and Patient Survey: study design, methods and patient baseline characteristics

The first paper describes the design and baseline characteristics of patients in the BPH Registry and Patient Survey in the USA. This important study will provide information on management practices and outcomes of men with this condition, as well as examining the effects of demographics, socio‐economics, comorbidities and medical therapies. Another important study in the USA is the Boston Area Community Health Survey, and in this issue the authors estimate the future magnitude of urological symptoms in that country. They found that it might reach the current level of cardiovascular disease and suggested that this will have huge affects on health service policy. OBJECTIVE To describe the design and baseline cohort characteristics of the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Registry and Patient Survey, an ongoing, prospective, observational, disease registry documenting management practices and patient outcomes in men in the USA with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH (LUTS/BPH) in actual clinical practice settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS Men with LUTS/BPH who were either untreated or treated with α 1 ‐adrenergic blockers (ABs), 5α‐reductase inhibitors (5ARIs), a combination of these medications, or anticholinergics, and who met selection criteria, were enrolled at sites throughout the USA. At each visit, standardized forms and validated questionnaires were completed to assess the physicians’ management practices and patients’ clinical characteristics, sexual function, and health‐related quality of life. RESULTS At the close of recruitment (February 2005), 6909 men (mean age 66.0 years) were enrolled at 402 sites by urologists and primary‐care physicians. Before enrolment, 49% of the men were managed with watchful waiting (WW), 21% with uroselective AB monotherapy, 11% with non‐uroselective AB monotherapy, 6% with 5ARI monotherapy, 11% with AB + 5ARI, and 2% with anticholinergics. After enrolment, 42% were on WW and 26% were on selective AB monotherapy; changes in other management groups were minimal. Overall, 33% of the men had mild, 52% had moderate and 15% had severe LUTS. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (53%), high cholesterol (45%) and sexual dysfunction (36%). CONCLUSION The BPH Registry and Patient Survey will provide information on physician management practices and outcomes of men with LUTS/BPH, while examining the effects of demographics, socio‐economics, comorbidities, and medical therapies.