Comparison of the incidence of bladder hyperreflexia in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and age-matched female controls.

Detrusor hyperreflexia long has been recognized as a condition associated with certain neurological disorders (that is multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular accidents, spinal cord injuries and parkinsonism). Bladder outlet obstruction (primarily benign prostatic hypertrophy) recently has been added to the list. Hyperreflexia associated with bladder outlet obstruction does not always resolve with relief of the obstruction. Our study of age-matched female controls indicates that there is a baseline rate of hyperreflexia associated with the aging process alone. This baseline hyperreflexia probably explains persistent symptoms in men with hyperreflexia following relief of the obstruction.