BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA IN THE ELDERLY: A CLINICAL REPORT

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common benign disease in man which can lead to an increase in prostate volume, prostatic obstruction and/or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The troublesome LUTS occurs in about 30% of men over 65 years. We present a clinical report of a male subject, 87 years old, observed in HTA surveillance consultation which refers symptoms of hypotension / dizziness having two months of evolution. The symptoms were initially attributed to probable disease of the cardiovascular system given his personal history of atrial fibrillation and hypertension. In a subsequent medical appointment he shows results of holter, echocardiography and echo-doppler carotid which excludes cardiac etiology and hypotension is attributed to side effects of alpha- blockers prescribed for symptoms of storing, emptying and post-micturition, namely urgency and urinary frequency, nocturia, decreased urinary stream and feeling of incomplete emptying. He presented a score in IPSS questionnaire of 21 points. After a therapeutic review, tansulosin was replaced by silodosin, better control of symptoms of prostatism was achieved, also night-time awakenings were decreased and the quality of life was improved. These achievements had repercussions on the value in the IPSS scale to a value of 8 as well as the disappearance of the side effects of tansulosin. It is up to the family doctor to perform a systematic search of LUTS in patients who often attribute the gradual appearing of symptoms to aging, often trivializing symptoms with strong impact on their quality of life, susceptible of treatment.