Etiology of voiding dysfunction in men less than 50 years of age

Abstract

Objectives

Chronic lower urinary tract symptoms in young men are often attributed to misdiagnosed chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. The purpose of this study was to analyze etiology of chronic voiding dysfunction in men less than 50 years of age.

Methods

The videourodynamic studies of 137 men 50 years of age or less with chronic voiding dysfunction, performed between January 1990 and October 1995, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The distribution of urodynamic abnormalities included 74 (54%) patients with primary vesical neck obstruction, 33 (24%) with obstruction localized to the membranous urethra (pseudodyssynergia), 23 (17%) with impaired bladder contractility, and the remaining 7 (5%) with an acontractile bladder. Detrusor instability was present in 67 men (49%).

Conclusions

Voiding dysfunction among young men is common and is often misdiagnosed. Videourodynamic evaluation is very useful in establishing the correct diagnosis and ultimately in delivery of appropriate therapy.