Lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction--Triumph: health-economical analysis.

Given the ageing of western populations, the cost burden associated with the treatment of LUTS suggestive of BPO will increase substantially over the next few decades. Therefore, from the economic perspective, the primary objective of the Triumph project is the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of treatment options for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO), formerly referred to as symptomtic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in medical practice in initially six European countries. All modalities of LUTS treatment used in these countries will be considered. The effectiveness and costs associated with these treatments will be assessed in each country. Data will be gathered from observed medical practice rather than in the setting of a trial. Country-specific aspects will be studied and the outcome of country-specific policies can be predicted. Patient quality of life will also be measured using the I-PSS score as a basis. A number of treatment scenarios will be assessed in terms of both their costs and long-term effects, using a computer simulation. These economic analyses will provide greatly improved insight into the most cost-effective treatments for LUTS suggestive of BPO.