The Effect of alpha-Blocker Treatment for Nocturia with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Lee, Sang Wook; Lee, Changho

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Nocturia is one of the most bothersome complaints in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. It might be valuable to determine if alpha-blocker treatment for benigh prostatic hyperplasia can improve nocturia and the quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of alpha blocker therapy in benigh prostatic hyperplasia patients with nocturia.
METHODS
From January 2004 to June 2006, 68 men (> or =45 years) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS: International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS)> or =12) and benign prostatic hyperplasia by transrectal ultrasonography (> or =25 mL) and a maximal urine flow rate (Qmax< or =12) were selected for this study. The efficacy of alpha blocker treatment was assessed by analyzing IPSS, QoL, Qmax, and postvoid residual urine (PVR). The data for these parameters was acquired at baseline and after short-term (range, 4-6 weeks) and long-term (range, 12-14 weeks) treatment. We analyzed the relationships between nocturia and other parameters, including age, prostate volume, Qmax, and PVR after alpha-blocker treatment.
RESULTS
Overall, 47 of the 68 patients (69.1%) completed the study. IPSS, QoL, Qmax, and PVR showed significantly improvement after alpha blocker treatment. The nocturia score improved 23.8% after long-term alpha blocker treatment. However, nocturia improvement was lowest among the seven individual symptom scores. Other clinical parameters, including patient age, prostate volume, Qmax, and PVR, were not significantly associated with nocturia; only the LUTS severity was associated with nocturia.
CONCLUSION
Treatment with alpha-blocker can reduce nocturia in benigh prostatic hyperplasia patients and can improve QoL.