Quality-of-life outcomes following Aquablation in men with poor initial quality of life: pooled analysis of five international studies

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between specific baseline clinical factors and QoL outcomes at three months in men presenting with poor initial QoL. This multinational study conducted a retrospective analysis of international data from men with poor baseline quality of life (QoL) scores (4, 5, or 6) who underwent Aquablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study involved 310 men with QoL <=2 and 104 men with QoL >2 at 3 -months post-treatment. Baseline clinical characteristics were collected, including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for storage and voiding, post-void residual (PVR), MSHQ-EjD and IIEF-5 for sexually active men. The study involved 310 men with QoL ≤ 2 and 104 men with QoL > 2. The mean age for men with QoL ≤ 2 was 66.8 years (SD ± 7.5) and 68.3 years (SD ± 8.0) for those with QoL > 2. The mean prostate volume was 72.1 mL (SD ± 31.2) for the QoL ≤ 2 group and 68.4 mL (SD ± 28.0) for the QoL > 2 group. In the univariable logistic regression analysis, significant improvement in quality of life at 3 months was observed among patients with poor baseline QoL who had a high post-void residual volume (PVR >100 mL; OR = 1.737, p = 0.018) and higher baseline erectile function scores (IIEF-5; OR = 1.075, p <0.001). In summary, this study adds to the growing evidence supporting Aquablation as an effective intervention for alleviating prostate symptoms and improving QoL in affected men with poor QoL.