Urologic Diseases in Elderly Men
Article information
Abstract
With the increasing life expectancy, health care providers are faced with a task to support the aging population to remain healthy and vital. Especially in Korea, the elderly population is increasing rapidly, and the urology, as a medical specialty, has become one of the biggest concerns. Four major, non-cancerous diseases adversely affecting male individuals over 50 years of age include erectile dysfunction (ED), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and depression. BPH is the most common benign neoplasm in aging men and the pathologic process also contributes to the development of lower urinary tract symptoms. The management of BPH has undergone tremendous changes in recent years. The introduction of new oral therapeutic agents has revolutionized the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to ED. An increasing number of men are currently seeking medical attention for their sexual and voiding concerns, often visiting private physicians. In this article I will specifically focus on the guidelines for clinical evaluation and treatment of BPH and ED to update physicians' knowledge to improve the quality of clinical services. These guidelines highlight the evolving field of minimally invasive medical therapy through a tailored approach to meet each individual's expectation including oral agents as the first-line therapy. In case the first-line therapy fails, a referral to a specialist is recommended.