Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older men, causing urinary disorders and potentially serious complications. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local data on BPH remain limited, despite a growing demand for medical imaging. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological and ultrasound characteristics of patients with BPH at the Clinique Bondeko.
Methodology: This was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted from January 2018 to July 2025. It included 177 male patients aged 40 and over, who underwent prostate ultrasound. Sociodemographic, clinical and ultrasound data were analysed.
Results: The prevalence of BPH was 65.6%, with a mean age of 68.8±10.9 years. The most frequent symptoms were dysuria (29.4%), urgency (23.2%) and weak urine flow (22.6%). The mean prostate volume was 65.4±39.1 g. Homogeneous forms accounted for 66.6% of cases, and heterogeneous forms for 33.4%. Associated pathologies such as prostatitis (16.4%) and hydronephrosis (7.9%) were observed.
Conclusion: The study confirms the high prevalence of BPH in men aged 40 and over and highlights the importance of ultrasound in diagnosis and follow-up. There was a significant correlation between age, prostate volume and morphological abnormalities. Ultrasound imaging should help with early detection, ultrasound follow-up and assessment of complications, in order to improve patients' quality of life and guide public health policies.
International Journal of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging
