Medikamentöse Therapie bei Symptomen des unteren Harntrakts

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) consist of voiding and storage symptoms. Voiding symptoms are commonly attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), where hyperplastic growth and increased smooth muscle tone in the hyperplastic prostate may lead to benign prostate obstruction (BPO). Storage symptoms are caused by spontaneous contractions of the detrusor muscle and referred to as overactive bladder (OAB). With a considerable proportion of patients suffering from a combination of voiding and storage symptoms, "mixed LUTS" affect a large portion of the population worldwide, with major impact on quality of life. Future demographic change in society, will lead to higher incidence and prevalence of LUTS, with a growing economic burden. Treatment for LUTS includes watchful waiting, medical, and surgical approaches. Considering the high prevalence of LUTS in an ageing society, in combination with a high proportion of patients suffering from mixed symptoms, an individualized therapeutic approach is urgently warranted. When left untreated, LUTS may cause considerable adverse events, ranging from organ failure to social withdrawal, and depression.