Differential Diagnosis for BPH

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): This is the most common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older men, characterized by an enlarged prostate gland that can obstruct urine flow.

Other Likely Diagnoses

• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland, which can cause similar symptoms to BPH, including urinary frequency, urgency, and pain.
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Bacterial infection of the urinary tract, which can cause symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, and urgency.
• Overactive Bladder (OAB): A condition characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate, often accompanied by frequency and urgency.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

• Prostate Cancer: Although less common than BPH, prostate cancer can cause similar symptoms, such as urinary obstruction, and is a potentially life-threatening condition if left untreated.
• Bladder Cancer: Another potentially life-threatening condition that can cause hematuria, dysuria, and other urinary symptoms.
• Neurogenic Bladder: A condition caused by nerve damage that can affect bladder function, leading to urinary retention, incontinence, or other symptoms.

Rare Diagnoses

• Prostatic Abscess: A rare, potentially life-threatening condition caused by a bacterial infection of the prostate gland.
• Urethral Stricture: A narrowing of the urethra that can cause obstructive urinary symptoms, such as weak urine flow or straining to urinate.
• Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO) due to other causes: Such as urethral valves, bladder neck contracture, or other rare conditions that can cause urinary obstruction.