Does digital rectal examination predict prostate volume greater than 30 mL?

• Published in: International journal of urology 2017-05, Vol.24 (5), p.373-376
• Main Authors: Yamamoto, Takanobu, Fukuta, Fumimasa, Masumori, Naoya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Androgens; Benign; benign prostatic hyperplasia; digital rectal examination; Hyperplasia; lower urinary tract symptoms; Prostate; prostate volume; Rectum; transrectal ultrasound; Ultrasound; Urinary tract; Urogenital system
• ISSN: 0919-8172; 1442-2042
• DOI: 10.1111/iju.13328

Objectives To investigate the accuracy of digital rectal examination in estimating prostate volume in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Methods A community‐based study was carried out in Japan to investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A total of 457 men were screened and deemed eligible for the present analysis. Findings on digital rectal examination were compared with prostate volume measurement by transrectal ultrasound. Five groups were identified on digital rectal examination: flat, normal, slightly enlarged, moderately enlarged and markedly enlarged. Results The median age and prostate volume were 64 years and 19.7 mL, respectively. Prostate volumes for the flat, normal, slightly enlarged, moderately enlarged, and markedly enlarged groups were 16.4, 18.3, 27.0, 41.9 and 86.3 mL, respectively. There were significant differences in prostate volume between the groups. The positive predictive value was 94.1% if flat, and normal were assumed to have a prostate volume