Management of male lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia by general practitioners in Jakarta

PURPOSE: This study was performed to describe and evaluate the management of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by general practitioners (GPs) in Jakarta. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study was peformed between January 2013 and August 2013 in Jakarta. We developed a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions describing the management of male LUTS suggestive of BPH by GPs in their daily practice in the previous month. We collected questionnaires from 200 GPs participating in 4 urology symposiums held in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. RESULTS: Most GPs were aged between 25 and 35 years (71.5%) and had worked for more than 1 year (87.5%). One to 5 cases of male LUTS suggestive of BPH were treated by 81% of GPs each month. At diagnosis, the most common symptoms found were urinary retention (55.5%), frequency (48%), and nocturia (45%). The usual diagnostic workup included digital rectal examination (65%), scoring system (44%), measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (23.5%), and renal function assessment (20%). Most GPs referred their male patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH to a urologist (59.5%) and 46.5% of GPs prescribed drugs as an initial therapy. Alpha-adrenergic antagonist monotherapy (71.5%) was the most common drug prescribed. Combination therapy with α-adrenergic antagonists and 5α-reductase inhibitors was not routinely prescribed (13%). Thirty-eight percent of GPs referred their patients when recurrent urinary retention was present and 33% when complications were present. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that the management of male LUTS suggestive of BPH by GPs in Jakarta suggests referral in part to available guidelines in terms of diagnostic methods and initial therapy. However, several aspects of the guidelines, such as PSA level measurement, renal function assessment, urinalysis, ultrasound examination, and prescription of combination therapies, are still infrequently performed.