Evaluating diagnostic and treatment modalities in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in the Veterans Administration population

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common prostatic condition among aging males significantly affects quality of life. Though clinical practice guidelines for BPH management have been established, little research has been done to determine adherence to such guidelines. To assess adherence to such guidelines, this study evaluated diagnostic and treatment modalities in BPH management in the VA population (a population with a high percentage of elderly males). A survey, containing simulated BPH patient cases, was mailed to 292 VA urologists, of which 114 (39%) responded. Urologists showed good adherence to the recommended diagnostic tests but preferences varied for the optional tests depending upon severity of the patient case. Preferences for treatment also showed considerable variation for the patient cases with different degrees of symptom severity. The treatment failure rate for initiation therapy was determined to be 42%. Study results need to be validated by tracking BPH patients using VA claims data.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy

Year dc:date.available

2000

Author dc:creator

• Fernandes, Ancilla William

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mayur M. Amonkar.

• Pharmaceutical sciences
• Medicine

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1067

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2070