(November 8, 2007 - Insidermedicine) The death rate among men with acute urinary retention is high, and significantly increases with age and the presence of other medical conditions, according to research published in BMJ Online First.

This is what we already know about acute urinary retention, or AUR:
•    It is the sudden inability to pass urine and is often the result of benign prostatic hyperplasia – an increase in the size of the prostate which can interfere with the normal flow of urine
•    It is a medical emergency and is thought to be linked to the presence of other disorders such as high blood pressure and diabetes
•    Treatment involves inserting a small tube into the bladder through the urethra to drain the urine. Depending on the underlying cause, as many as 70% of cases recur within a week after initial treatment

To investigate the risk of death associated with AUR, researchers studied data on more than 175,000 men over 45 years old who were admitted to hospitals with a first episode of AUR.

They found that one in four men with AUR died within one year and that men aged 45 to 54 were 24 times more likely to die when compared to healthy controls. The risk of dying increased with age and the presence of other disorders, and is similar to that seen in patients who had a broken hip. The problem is anticipated to worsen as the population ages.

Based on the findings, experts say patients with AUR may benefit from urgent multidisciplinary care to identify and treat other medical conditions.

If you experience severe lower abdominal pain, a distended abdomen, and/or the sudden inability to pass urine, go to your emergency department right away. To reduce your risk of getting AUR, have regular medical check-ups to diagnose and treat underlying conditions.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.