A prospective evaluation of the impact of trans-rectal prostate biopsy on the voiding function of patients

Abstract

Background

Biopsy-related inflammatory edema, urethral blood clots and sphincteric spasm could lead to post-biopsy voiding dysfunction. This study examines the impact of trans-rectal prostate biopsy on the voiding function of patients in our institution.

Methods

Between February 2017 and July 2018, quasi-experimental study was carried out on 68 patients with indication(s) for prostate biopsy. Prior to the biopsy, IPSS (International Prostate Symptoms Score) and Q_max (peak flow rate) of each patient were determined. These were re-assessed 7 and 14 days after biopsy, and compared to baseline data. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results

Post-biopsy acute urinary retention occurred in 4.4% of the patients. The total IPSS (12.5 vs. 14.7, p = 0.003), IPSS storage sub-score (6.7 vs. 8.3, p = 0.001), bother score (3.3 vs. 3.6, p = 0.025) and Q_max (18.7 vs. 15.9 ml/s, p = 0.001) significantly deteriorated from the baseline value on the 7th day post-biopsy. However, there was no significant difference in these variables in comparison with baseline by the 14th day after the biopsy. Patients with moderate IPSS and normal Q_max at baseline had significantly worsened values by the 7th post-biopsy day (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively) while those with lower baseline bother score had a higher tendency for worsening of their bother score.

Conclusions

Trans-rectal prostate biopsy causes significant worsening of lower urinary tract symptoms and associated deterioration in quality of life, which spontaneously resolved by the second week in the patients.