The Effects of Combined Therapy with Propiverine (BUP-4(R)) after alpha-blocker on the Improvements of Quality of Life Scores in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Accompaniedwith Overactive Bladder

Han, Dong Seok; Kim, Hong Sik; Sul, Chong Koo

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of the combination therapy of alpha-blocker and propiverine on the quality of life (QoL) scores of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) accompanied with an overactive bladder.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred and twenty-six patients, aged between 50 to 80 years old, with BPH were included in this study. They were evaluated by their International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) and QoL questionnaires, DRE, transrectal ultrasound, uroflowmetry and residual urine checks and urine analysis. 3 months of alpha-blocker (tamsulosin 0.2mg/day) treatment was performed on all the patients, but 29 complained of persistent irritative symptoms. After re-examinations, they were treated with the alpha-blocker combined with propiverine (20mg/day) therapy for 2 months.
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients who complained of irritative voiding symptoms was 66.7 years, ranging from 52 to 79 years old. Before the treatment, their IPSS, QoL score, voiding volume, peak flow rate (Qmax) and post-voiding residual urine volume (PVR) were 20.1+/-4.7, 4.2+/-0.7, 211.3+/-59.4ml, 9.7+/-1.3ml/s and 51.5+/-26.5ml, respectively. After the alpha-blocker therapy, the results were 13.5+/-3.5, 3.3+/-0.5, 281.1+/-67.6ml, 14.7+/-2.7ml/s and 16.5+/-13.1ml; whereas, after the combination therapy with propiverine they were, 10.8+/-3.7, 2.1+/-0.5, 315.7+/-69.7ml, 14.5+/-2.7ml/s and 29.6+/-15.8ml, respectively. The IPSS, QoL score and voiding volume improved significantly when they were treated with the combination therapy compared with just the alpha- blocker therapy. The changes in the Qmax and PVR showed no significant difference.
CONCLUSIONS
In carefully selected BPH patients, accompanied with an overactive bladder, the combination therapy of propiverine after alpha-blocker should improve the patient's satisfaction and the QoL scores.