Factors correlated with prostate volume in middle-aged men with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the predictive factors of prostate volume (PV) by analyzing potential predictors in a population of middle-aged men with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and use a prediction model for PV estimation to compare with digital rectal examination (DRE) alone.Materials and methodsPatients between the ages of 40 years and 64 years who underwent transrectal prostate ultrasound as part of a self-paid medical check-up were enrolled. Participant demographics, medical history, and voiding symptoms were assessed by the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) questionnaire. A multiple linear regression with stepwise selection was used to analyze the correlations between PV and all potential predictors.ResultsTwo hundred and twenty-eight men with bothersome LUTS (IPSS > 7) were enrolled as study participants at a mean age of 56.4 years. Patients with PV > 25 mL were significantly older and had higher serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and scores for total IPSS, storage, urgency items, and nocturia items. DRE, serum PSA, age, and urgency score were independent predictors for PV, especially for men with PV > 25 mL, for which the standardized regression equation was PV = 0.74 × (DRE estimation) + 0.10 × (age) + 0.12 × (serum PSA) + 0.079 × (urgency score) (adjusted R2 = 0.80).ConclusionIn the current study, we confirmed that serum PSA, age, and urgency score are significant predictors of PV. The prediction model including DRE, PSA, age, and urgency score was a better method to estimate PV than DRE alone, especially for men with a larger prostate (PV > 25 mL).