Prevalence and Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Related to Benign Prostatic Obstruction in a Contemporary Series of Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND: The kidney is the most frequently transplanted human organ worldwide. In patients with end-stage renal failure, renal transplantation improves both quality of life and life expectancy. The current literature indicates that the numbers of renal recipients over 60 years of age has increased in recent years. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence and management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) in a contemporary series of male renal transplant (RTx) recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 150 consecutive transplant recipients at the University of Jena 12 months postoperatively for the presence and treatment of LUTS related to BPO. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 59 years (range 27 - 82 years). By 12 months postoperatively, 91% (n = 137/150) were off dialysis with a functioning kidney graft. Two patients died during follow up. Six patients had undergone treatment for prostate cancer prior to RTx. Of the remaining 131 patients, 47% (n = 62/131) were considered as patients with BPO 12 months after RTx. Six percent (n = 8/131) of the patients experienced urinary retention due to BPO and 6% (n = 8/131) had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) during the first year after RTx. No major complications were observed in those patients. A significant increase was noted in the use of α-blocker therapy after RTx (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of LUTS related to BPO in our cohort of patients. Due to the increasing age of transplant recipients, more attention should be paid to the evaluation and treatment of BPO prior to RTx.