The Efficacy of the Alpha-Blocker, Tamsulosin, in the Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia of 30 grams or less

Lee, Sang Hoon; Chung, Woo Sik; Shim, Bong Suk

Abstract

PURPOSE: Medical therapy with an alpha-blocker is commonly used primarily in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, the efficacy of the alpha-blocker is still questionable in reference to a small prostate, with the size of 30g or less. We reviewed 117 patients who had been taken the alpha-blocker for the management of BPH, and the results were analyzed according to the prostatic size.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred seventeen patients were divided into the two following groups: Group I consisted of 57 patients with a BPH of under 30g and Group II consisted of 60 patients with a BPH of over 30g. Both groups were evaluated for the international prostate symptom score, urine flow rate, and residual urine volume before and 3 months after receiving medical therapy with tamsulosin.
RESULTS
The success rate after medical therapy was similar in both groups, and all components were significantly improved after 3 months. The improvement rate of the urine flow rate was more significant in group II than group I.
CONCLUSIONS
According to several objective results and the preference of patients for this treatment, medical therapy with the alpha-blocker could be also available in patients with BPH of under 30g.