Predictors of achieving a minimal clinically important difference in lower urinary tract symptoms 3 months after Rezum therapy

Cent European J Urol. 2024;77(2):262-272. doi: 10.5173/ceju.2023.256. Epub 2024 Feb 11.

Abstract

Introduction: Gaining insight into patient characteristics to predict the success of procedures is crucial for improving outcomes and for preoperative counselling. We identified predictors of achieving a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) 3 months after Rezūm.

Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients treated with Rezūm. Patients with moderate or severe LUTS and a recorded International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 3 months were included and categorised into 2 cohorts based on experiencing a MCID at 3 months (≥ 25% improvement in IPSS). Predictors were identified through multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: Out of 174 patients, 134 (77%) achieved a MCID at 3 months, and those who did had a higher median baseline IPSS (20 [16-26] vs 15 [10-21], P <0.001) and were more likely to have severe LUTS at baseline (53.0% vs 35.0%, P = 0.046) when compared to those who did not experience a MCID at 3 months. Higher baseline IPSS (OR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17) and larger baseline prostate volumes (OR: 1.03, 95% CI 1.0-1.05) were predictors of achieving a MCID at 3 months. More specifically, a significantly greater proportion of patients with severe LUTS (83.5 vs 70.8%, P = 0.046) and prostate volume ≥60 cc (94.6 vs 71.4%, P = 0.003) achieved MCID at 3 months when compared to patients with moderate LUTS and prostate volumes <60 cc, respectively.

Conclusions: More than three-quarters of patients treated with Rezūm achieved a MCID at 3 months. Patients with severe LUTS and prostate volumes ≥ 60 cc may be optimal candidates for experiencing early relief in LUTS following Rezūm.

Keywords: benign prostatic hyperplasia; lower urinary tract symptoms; minimal clinically important difference; minimally invasive surgical therapy; water vapor thermal therapy.