Serum C-reactive protein levels are associated with residual urgency symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia after medical treatment

Abstract

Objective: Urinary urgency is a common and bothersome symptom in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); this symptom may persist even after medical treatment. Chronic inflammation has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We investigate the association between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level and residual urgency symptoms in BPH patients after medical treatment.

Methods: Two-hundred-five men undergoing stable medical treatment for BPH, defined as a total prostate volume ≥40 mL, were enrolled. Patients with acute infection or those taking nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs or aspirin were excluded. Uroflowmetry, postvoid residual volume, transrectal ultrasound parameters, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), and CRP level were measured. A three-day void diary was recorded to identify the presence of urinary urgency.

Results: The mean serum CRP level was 0.24 mg/dL (range 0.01-2.84), and residual urgency was identified in 90 patients (43.9%). Patients with residual urgency were older and had significantly higher serum CRP levels (0.39 ± 0.54 mg/dL) than those without urgency (0.13 ± 0.20, P <.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, men with CRP levels ≥0.3 mg/dL were more likely to have urgency (odds ratio 8.08, 95% confidence interval 3.26-20.0) after adjusting for age, serum PSA level, total prostate volume, and antimuscarinic use. Patients with serum CRP levels ≥0.30 mg/dL had more urgency (82.1%) than those with serum CRP levels <0.30 mg/dL (34.9%).

Conclusion: Serum CRP level is significantly associated with residual urgency in BPH patients after medical treatment. Chronic inflammation may play a role in the occurrence of residual urgency in BPH patients.