Does bladder wall thickness have a place in the evaluation of male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms?

Objective: To investigate whether bladder wall thickness (BWT) is associated with The International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry parameters in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Material and Methods: Prostate volume, prostate specific antigen (PSA), post-void residual (PVR) urine volume, IPSS, maximum and average urinary flow rates ( Qmax, Qave), BWT and intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) grades of male patients who applied to the urology outpatient clinic with LUTS between June 2021 and January 2022 were recorded. .Patients were divided into 2 groups in terms of BWT (Group: 1 BWT < 5 mm; Group 2: BWT ≥ 5 mm). We compared IPSS, PVR, PSA, Qmax, Qave, prostat volume and IPP grades between two groups. Results: A total of 110 patients were included in the study (Group 1: n= 65, Group 2: n=45). Median(IQR) age, and median BWT values of the patients were 56.5(15) years, and 4.25(3.60) mm, respectively. PSA, prostate volume, total urine volume, Qmax, Qave, IPSS and IPP values were found to be statistically different, while age and PVR were similar between two groups. In addition, a strong correlation was found between BWT and IPSS- Qave, and a very strong correlation between BWT and Qmax. Conclusion: BWT is a simple sonographic measurement that can be used to estimate IPSS and uroflowmetry parameters in urology practice. Keywords: bladder wall thickness, lower urinary tract symptoms, ultrasonography