SINGAPORE — For almost four years, security officer T M Raman could not keep himself from urinating in bed while he was asleep and had to relieve himself at least five times every night.

This caused the 68-year-old to feel irritated and anxious about how he would cope at work. He felt embarrassed about his condition, but did not seek help.

Mr Raman is one of many men who suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a prostate disease that leads to urinary symptoms.

A new study by the National University Hospital (NUH) shows that one in four BPH patients also experience psychological effects such as anxiety and depression.

Apart from affecting one’s quality of life, the disease — most common in men above 40 years old — can also cause erectile dysfunction.

The study was conducted on 97 male BPH sufferers, mostly Chinese and aged between 50 and 87.

There is currently no population study on the number of Singaporeanswho suffer from the disease, said NUH.

However, NUH staff nurse Pinto Julian, who headed the study, said with the ageing population, more men would be likely to suffer from BPH. “We really need to address this problem,” he added.

Professor E Kesavan, head and senior consultant at NUH’s Department of Urology, said: “With this report, doctors could now be more forthcoming in asking BPH patients about their psychological well-being, especially those who might not be able to relate their feelings to the disease.

“Also, we hope this will raise public awareness of such psychological effects of BPH, educating them to seek treatment.”

In North America, it was found that one in three BPH patients also suffered from depression, said Dr Joe Lee, consultant at the urology department.

Mr Raman told TODAY he felt “much better and more relieved” after taking medication. “Now, I am also more aware of my condition.”

He has this advice for people with urinary problems: “Don’t take it as an old-age matter; there’s no home remedy for it. See a doctor. It is more reliable and cheaper too.”

NUH hopes to study in the future the before-and-after conditions of those who undergo surgery for BPH.