Differential diagnosis of overactive bladder in men.

PURPOSE: We determined the differential diagnosis of concomitant pathological conditions in men with overactive bladder symptoms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an observational, descriptive study to elucidate the differential diagnosis in men with overactive bladder symptoms using a previously validated overactive bladder symptom questionnaire. All patients provided an extensive history, completed the self-administered questionnaire and a 24-hour voiding diary, and underwent physical examination, 24-hour pad test, uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine measurement, cystoscopy and urodynamics. Selection criteria were developed to assign cases to a category, including idiopathic overactive bladder, benign prostatic enlargement, benign prostatic obstruction, neurogenic bladder, bladder cancer, prostate cancer treatment complications, urethral stricture, bladder stones and bladder diverticulum.
RESULTS: Of 122 men who met selection criteria for overactive bladder detrusor overactivity was identified in 99 (79%) on urodynamics. The differential diagnosis was benign prostatic enlargement in 40 men (32%), benign prostatic obstruction in 27 (22%), complications of prostate cancer treatment in 25 (20%), neurogenic bladder in 13 (11%), urethral stricture in 7 (6%), idiopathic overactive bladder in 6 (5%), bladder stone in 2 (2%), bladder cancer in 1 (1%) and bladder diverticulum in 1 (1%).
CONCLUSIONS: Overactive bladder is a complex diagnosis with many underlying, contributing urological pathologies. It should be considered a symptom complex and not a syndrome. Knowledge of the differential diagnosis in men with overactive bladder symptoms would hopefully provide clinicians with a diagnostic rubric to more specifically treat such patients with improved success.