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Background Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) comprise storage symptoms, voiding symptoms and post-voiding symptoms. Prevalence and severity of LUTS increase with age and the progressive increase in the aged population group has emphasised the importance to our society of appropriate and effective management of male LUTS. Identification of causal mechanisms is needed to optimise treatment and uroflowmetry is the simplest non-invasive test of voiding function. Invasive urodynamics can evaluate storage function and voiding function; however, there is currently insufficient evidence to support urodynamics becoming part of routine practice in the clinical evaluation of male LUTS. Design A 2-arm trial, set in urology departments of at least 26 National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the United Kingdom (UK), randomising men with bothersome LUTS for whom surgeons would consider offering surgery, between a care pathway based on urodynamic tests with invasive multichannel cystometry and a care pathway based on non-invasive routine tests. The aim of the trial is to determine whether a care pathway not including invasive urodynamics is no worse for men in terms of symptom outcome than one in which it is included, at 18 months after randomisation. This primary clinical outcome will be measured with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). We will also establish whether inclusion of invasive urodynamics reduces rates of bladder outlet surgery as a main secondary outcome. Discussion The general population has an increased life-expectancy and, as men get older, their prostates enlarge and potentially cause benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) which often requires surgery. Furthermore, voiding symptoms become increasingly prevalent, some of which may not be due to BPO. Therefore, as the population ages, more operations will be considered to relieve BPO, some of which may not actually be appropriate. Hence, there is sustained interest in the diagnostic pathway and this trial could improve the chances of an accurate diagnosis and reduce overall numbers of surgical interventions for BPO in the NHS. The morbidity, and therapy costs, of testing must be weighed against the cost saving of surgery reduction. Trial registration Controlled-trials.com - ISRCTN56164274 (confirmed registration: 8 April 2014).

Summary Introduction Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) resulting in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is a widespread disease that strongly interferes with the quality of life (QoL) of elderly males. It represents a real clinical and socio‐economic problem may be due to the lack of a diagnostic, therapeutic and care pathway (DTCP) tool for LUTS/BPH that considers elderly people population in its whole complexity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the proposed DTCP LUTS/BPH tool. Methods This prospective study was conducted on 278 patients over 75 years old with non‐neurogenic LUTS recruited from February to July 2014 by 10 general practitioners (GP) and two assisted sanitary residences (ASR). Only five GPs and one ASR were provided with the complete DTCP LUTS/BPH tool to create two different groups of patients: group A (138 patients) was treated without the aid of the DTCP; group B (140 patients) was treated according to the DTCP. Results At 1 year of follow‐up, the patients of Group B compared with Group A achieved a greater and significant mean reduction in the questionnaires score (International Prostate Symptom Score, Quick prostate test and QoL) linked to a higher increase in the flowmetry parameters (Qmax) and a lower postvoid residual. Furthermore, in Group B compared to Group A, a greater improvement of hydronephrosis, creatinine values and erectile dysfunction (ED) were obtained at 1 year of follow‐up. Conclusion The encouraging results obtained from this study are significant and support the use of this diagnostic, therapeutic and care tool (DTCP) as the ideal pathway management for elderly men with LUTS associated to BPH and ED. Further studies with greater number of elderly subjects and long‐term follow‐up are needed to confirm DTCP utility in the clinical management of LUTS/BPH and ED.

Background The aim of this study was to identify predictors of ‘intrauterine fetal renal failure’ in fetuses with severe congenital lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO). Methods We undertook a retrospective study of 31 consecutive fetuses with a diagnosis of LUTO in a tertiary Fetal Center between April 2013 and April 2015. Predictors of ‘intrauterine fetal renal failure’ were evaluated in those infants with severe LUTO who had either a primary composite outcome measure of neonatal death in the first 24 h of life due to severe pulmonary hypoplasia or a need for renal replacement therapy within 7 days of life. The following variables were analyzed: fetal bladder re-expansion 48 h after vesicocentesis, fetal renal ultrasound characteristics, fetal urinary indices, and amniotic fluid volume. Results Of the 31 fetuses included in the study, eight met the criteria for ‘intrauterine fetal renal failure’. All of the latter had composite poor postnatal outcomes based on death within 24 h of life ( n  = 6) or need for dialysis within 1 week of life ( n  = 2). The percentage of fetal bladder refilling after vesicocentesis at time of initial evaluation was the only predictor of ‘intrauterine fetal renal failure’ (cut-off <27 %, area under the time–concentration curve 0.86, 95 % confidence interval 0.68–0.99; p  = 0.009). Conclusion We propose the concept of ‘intrauterine fetal renal failure’ in fetuses with the most severe forms of LUTO. Fetal bladder refilling can be used to reliably predict ‘intrauterine fetal renal failure’, which is associated with severe pulmonary hypoplasia or the need for dialysis within a few days of life.

Purpose Our study aimed to develop a noninvasive model using a combination of the set of clinical data and uroflowmetry (UFL) to differentiate between detrusor underactivity (DU) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in non-neurogenic male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods Data from 229 men with LUTS, diagnosed with DU or BOO on a pressure-flow study (PFS), were retrospectively analyzed, including medical history, Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms score (CLSS) questionnaire, UFL and PFS. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression were utilized for the prediction analyses. Results Of the cohort, 128 (55.9%) patients were diagnosed with DU. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified less prevalent nocturia (OR 0.27, p  < 0.002), more prevalent intermittency (OR 2.33, p  = 0.03), less prevalent weak stream (OR 0.14, p  = 0.0004), lower straining points in CLSS (OR 0.67, p  = 0.02), higher slow stream points in CLSS (OR 1.81, p  = 0.002), higher incomplete emptying points in CLSS (OR 1.31, p  < 0.02), lower PVR ratio (OR 0.20, p  = 0.03), and present features of fluctuating (OR 2.00, p  = 0.05), fluctuating-intermittent (OR 3.09, p  < 0.006), and intermittent (OR 8.11, p  = 0.076) UFL curve shapes as independent predictors of DU. The above prediction model demonstrated satisfactory accuracy ( c -index of 0.783). Conclusion Our 10-factor model provides a noninvasive approach to differentiate DU from BOO in male patients with non-neurogenic LUTS, offering a valuable alternative to invasive PFS.

PurposeTo establish the correlation between flow rate curve shape and video-urodynamic findings in women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MethodsA retrospective review of consecutive women with LUTS who performed a free flow study immediately before undergoing video-urodynamic investigations over a 28-month period. Flow rate curve shape and video-urodynamic parameters were analysed. Free flow curves were defined into five categories: bell-shaped, prolonged, fluctuating, intermittent or plateau. Women who voided less than 150 ml on the free flow study were excluded from the analysis. ResultsA total of 250 women with LUTS, with a mean age 48 years (range 18–83), were included. Bell-shaped tracings excluded obstruction in 89%. Prolonged flow rate curves diagnosed obstruction in 62% and detrusor underactivity in 8%. Fluctuating and intermittent flow rate curves were associated with urodynamic obstruction in 37 and 39%, respectively, and detrusor underactivity in 25 and 29%, respectively. A plateau flow rate curve was indicative of urodynamic obstruction in all three cases observed. ConclusionFlow rate curve patterns can be suggestive of urodynamic diagnoses. Women without a prolonged void and bell-shaped traces had normal voiding urodynamics in 76% of cases, and the majority could be managed without invasive investigations. Patients with fluctuating and intermittent flow rate curves demonstrate a spectrum of urodynamic diagnoses with a third of cases having obstruction and a third of cases having detrusor underactivity. Plateau flow rate curve patterns are associated with urethral obstruction.

Diagnosing underlying causes of nonneurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms associated with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is challenging. Video-urodynamic studies (VUDS) and pressure-flow studies (PFS) are both invasive diagnostic methods for BOO. VUDS can more precisely differentiate etiologies of male BOO, such as benign prostatic obstruction, primary bladder neck obstruction, and dysfunctional voiding, potentially outperforming PFS. These examinations' invasive nature highlights the need for developing noninvasive predictive models to facilitate BOO diagnosis and reduce the necessity for invasive procedures. We conducted a retrospective study with a cohort of men with medication-refractory, nonneurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms suspected of BOO who underwent VUDS from 2001 to 2022. In total, 2 BOO predictive models were developed-1 based on the International Continence Society's definition (International Continence Society-defined bladder outlet obstruction; ICS-BOO) and the other on video-urodynamic studies-diagnosed bladder outlet obstruction (VBOO). The patient cohort was randomly split into training and test sets for analysis. A total of 6 machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression, were used for model development. During model development, we first performed development validation using repeated 5-fold cross-validation on the training set and then test validation to assess the model's performance on an independent test set. Both models were implemented as paper-based nomograms and integrated into a web-based artificial intelligence prediction tool to aid clinical decision-making. Among 307 patients, 26.7% (n=82) met the ICS-BOO criteria, while 82.1% (n=252) were diagnosed with VBOO. The ICS-BOO prediction model had a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.74 (SD 0.09) and mean accuracy of 0.76 (SD 0.04) in development validation and AUC and accuracy of 0.86 and 0.77, respectively, in test validation. The VBOO prediction model yielded a mean AUC of 0.71 (SD 0.06) and mean accuracy of 0.77 (SD 0.06) internally, with AUC and accuracy of 0.72 and 0.76, respectively, externally. When both models' predictions are applied to the same patient, their combined insights can significantly enhance clinical decision-making and simplify the diagnostic pathway. By the dual-model prediction approach, if both models positively predict BOO, suggesting all cases actually resulted from medication-refractory primary bladder neck obstruction or benign prostatic obstruction, surgical intervention may be considered. Thus, VUDS might be unnecessary for 100 (32.6%) patients. Conversely, when ICS-BOO predictions are negative but VBOO predictions are positive, indicating varied etiology, VUDS rather than PFS is advised for precise diagnosis and guiding subsequent therapy, accurately identifying 51.1% (47/92) of patients for VUDS. The 2 machine learning models predicting ICS-BOO and VBOO, based on 6 noninvasive clinical parameters, demonstrate commendable discrimination performance. Using the dual-model prediction approach, when both models predict positively, VUDS may be avoided, assisting in male BOO diagnosis and reducing the need for such invasive procedures.

Introduction Assessing male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to Benign outlet obstruction (BOO) remains a challenge in urology due to the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods, which are often invasive, time-consuming, and inefficient. Objective Given these limitations, this review explores emerging non-conventional diagnostic approaches for evaluating benign male LUTS. Methods: A broad literature search was performed in November 2024 regarding the assessment of male LUTS exploiting tools different than UDS. The search strategy was implemented across Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Results Ultrasonography, along with surrogate diagnostic methods such as detrusor wall thickness and intravesical prostatic protrusion, remains a key tool in the outpatient setting. Additionally, alternative methods, including near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), condom catheter testing, and penile cuff pressure analysis, are being investigated with the latter, showing potential as a non-invasive alternative to urodynamics, pending further future validations. Biomarkers, such as PSA, adiponectin, neural growth factor and miRNA are gaining interest in the scientific community as additional diagnostic frameworks to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, advancements in computational modeling and artificial intelligence (AI) are poised to revolutionize LUTS diagnostics. Computational modeling, though still in its early stages, offers valuable insights into anatomical and flow dynamics, providing objective parameters for assessing obstruction severity and the need for surgical intervention. Although it has not yet integrated in the current clinical practice, AI, in particular, may offer the potential to integrate diverse data sources, including diagnostic tests and patient-reported symptoms, to create more reliable predictive models for bladder outlet obstruction. Conclusion Given the rapid development and the large economic interest of machine learning, it is expected to play a pivotal role in the future of LUTS assessment, offering faster and more accurate diagnostic tools.

To evaluate whether urodynamic investigation (UDI), the gold standard to assess refractory lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), is appropriate to select healthy volunteers with apparent normal lower urinary tract function as control subjects for comparative studies. 42 healthy subjects (22 women, mean age 32±10 years; 20 men, mean age 37±12 years) without LUTS were included into this prospective single-centre cohort study. All subjects recorded a 3-day bladder diary, completed validated questionnaires regarding LUTS, and underwent neuro-urological assessment as well as free uroflowmetry. Same session repeat UDI was performed according to \"Good Urodynamic Practice\" recommended by the International Continence Society, but using an air-charged instead of a water-filled catheter, and evaluated by a blinded investigator. All 3-day bladder diaries, LUTS questionnaires, neuro-urological assessments and free uroflowmetries were within normal limits. Overall (either during the first or second UDI), same session repeat UDI revealed pathological findings in 71% (30/42): Detrusor overactivity was detected in 14% (3/22) and 30% (6/20), post void residual >100mL in 14% (3/22) and 25% (5/20), bladder outlet obstruction in 9% (2/22) and 20% (4/20) and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in 77% (17/22) and 65% (13/20) of our women and men, respectively. Repeatability of detrusor overactivity (κ = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.54-1.02) and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (κ = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.55-0.98) showed substantial agreement between both UDIs. All other assessed urodynamic parameters had wide 95% limits of agreement for differences in the parameters indicating poor repeatability. More than 70% of our healthy subjects showed pathological urodynamic findings. Although UDI is the gold standard to assess refractory LUTS, it seems not to be applicable in healthy subjects to define normal lower urinary tract function. Therefore, we do not recommend using UDI to select healthy control subjects.

Voiding dysfunction can result from detrusor underactivity (DU), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), or both. Conceptually, women with high-pressure low-flow urodynamic profiles are diagnosed with BOO without DU. However, the possibility of BOO is often neglected in women with DU-like (low-pressure low-flow) urodynamic (UDS) profiles. By reviewing the videourodynamic studies (VUDS) of 1678 women, our study identified the key factors suggesting urodynamic BOO (determined by radiographic evidence of obstruction) in women with DU-like UDS profiles (Pdet.Qmax < 20 cmH2O and Qmax < 15 mL/s). In 355 women with DU-like UDS profiles, there were 70 (19.7%) with BOO and 285 (80.3%) without BOO. The BOO group had predominantly obstructive symptoms. The BOO group showed significantly decreased bladder sensation, lower detrusor pressure (Pdet.Qmax), lower flow rate (Qmax), smaller voided volume, and larger post-voiding residual (PVR) compared to the non-BOO group. In multivariate analysis, volume at first sensation, Qmax, PVR, and detrusor overactivity (DO) remained independent factors for BOO. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) areas for the parameters were largest for PVR (area = 0.786) and Qmax (area = 0.742). The best cut-off points were 220 mL for PVR and 4 mL/s for Qmax. Our findings provide simple indicators for BOO in women with DU.