A prospective evaluation of the impact of trans-rectal prostate biopsy on the voiding function of patients

Biopsy-related inflammatory edema, urethral blood clots and sphincteric spasm could lead to post-biopsy voiding dysfunction. This study examines the impact of trans-rectal prostate biopsy on the voiding function of patients in our institution. Between February 2017 and July 2018, quasi-experimental study was carried out on 68 patients with indication(s) for prostate biopsy. Prior to the biopsy, IPSS (International Prostate Symptoms Score) and Qmax (peak flow rate) of each patient were determined. These were re-assessed 7 and 14 days after biopsy, and compared to baseline data. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science with p < 0.05 considered significant. Post-biopsy acute urinary retention occurred in 4.4% of the patients. The total IPSS (12.5 vs. 14.7, p = 0.003), IPSS storage sub-score (6.7 vs. 8.3, p = 0.001), bother score (3.3 vs. 3.6, p = 0.025) and Qmax (18.7 vs. 15.9 ml/s, p = 0.001) significantly deteriorated from the baseline value on the 7th day post-biopsy. However, there was no significant difference in these variables in comparison with baseline by the 14th day after the biopsy. Patients with moderate IPSS and normal Qmax at baseline had significantly worsened values by the 7th post-biopsy day (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively) while those with lower baseline bother score had a higher tendency for worsening of their bother score. Trans-rectal prostate biopsy causes significant worsening of lower urinary tract symptoms and associated deterioration in quality of life, which spontaneously resolved by the second week in the patients.