Urinary problems secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are found in 20 to 25% of the population of men over 50 years of age. This is thus a public health problem with a number of diagnostic, therapeutic and economic facets. The severity of the problem is assessed by the score obtained on the IPSS, a well known and recognised questionnaire. OBJECTIVE: As part of the growing importance attached to the care giver, it is interesting to evaluate the consequences of this masculine pathology for the spouse. METHOD: As part of a cohort study (10/2000 - 03/ 2001 ), the GP gave the patient 2 " PFM " (Patient Family Measurement) self-questionnaires for himself and his spouse. For the analysis, 357 patient questionnaires and 316 spouse questionnaires were analysed. The rate of return of the spouse questionnaires (88%) was very satisfactory. The quality of life (QOL) of the patient was measured by the SF12; the results consisted of 2 scores: mental (MCS-12) and physical (PCS-12). RESULTS: The norm observed in the American population, and from which the scores were standardised, was 50. In the patient where the QOL had deteriorated, all the scores were lower than this norm, (PCS-12=46 & MCS-12=47.2). This deterioration in the quality of life also applied to the spouse. (PCS-12=44.4 & MCS-12=45.9). For the PCS-12, the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: The rate of return of the spouse questionnaires showed the interest and involvement of spouses in their husband's pathology. The deterioration in the quality of life of the spouse highlighted the impact of the disease on those around him. In both the patient and the spouse, the quality of life deteriorated with the severity of the BPH.