Health care sought and received by men with urinary symptoms, and their views on prostatectomy.

Background: Urinary symptoms are common among middle aged and elderly men.

Aim: A study was undertaken to describe the health care sought by men aged 55 years and over with urinary symptoms, the action taken by general practitioners and urologists, and the men's views on prostatectomy.

Method: A postal questionnaire was sent to 516 men aged 55 years and over in the North West Thames Regional Health Authority, with previously identified mild, moderate or severe urinary symptoms.

Results: The response rate among eligible subjects was 83%. Of 420 respondents 45% had seen their general practitioner for their symptoms. General practitioners had referred 62% of these men to a urologist, reassured 21% and prescribed medication to 17%. The probability of a man seeking medical advice increased with increasing symptom severity. In contrast, the decision to refer was independent of symptom severity. Of the men referred to a urologist, the majority (71%) were offered and accepted surgery. The remainder were reassured (17%), or received a prescription (4%). Eight per cent were offered surgery but declined. When presented with details and information on the risks and benefits of prostatectomy, 22% of men with symptoms would probably or definitely refuse treatment, while a further 47% of men were unsure.

Conclusion: There are many men who do not seek treatment for urinary symptoms and, of those who do, subsequent referral is not associated with symptom severity. There is scope for improving the referral process through the shared development of guidelines between general practitioners, hospitals and commissioning agencies.