The long-term effect of alfuzosin in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia: evaluation of voiding and storage function with respect to bladder outlet obstruction grade and contractility.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of alfuzosin treatment on voiding and storage in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with respect to bladder outlet obstruction and contractility.

METHODS

A 12-month, multicenter, observational, prospective study was conducted at four university hospitals in Korea. Patients were divided into four groups: group 1 (bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) ≥20, bladder contractility index (BCI) ≥100), group 2 (BOOI ≥20, BCI <100), group 3 (BOOI <20, BCI ≥100), and group 4 (BOOI <20, BCI <100), with respect to BOOI and BCI evaluated by pressure-flow study. Treatment efficacy was analyzed by validated symptom scores.

RESULTS

Two-hundred thirty-two men with LUTS/BPH were enrolled, and 165 (41, 50, 30, and 44 in groups 1-4, respectively) were followed to the end of the study. After 12 months of alfuzosin treatment, all International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) parameters improved in all four groups. Mean improvement in IPSS subscore for voiding was 4.0 points in group 1, 5.5 points in group 2, 5.5 points in group 3, and 3.0 points in group 4. Change in IPSS subscore for storage was 2.5 points in group 1, 3.6 points in group 2, 2.9 points in group 3, and 1.8 points in group 4. There was no difference among four groups in improvements seen in storage or voiding IPSS subscore. International Continence Society male questionnaire scores significantly improved in all four groups with no between-group differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Alfuzosin treatment in men with LUTS indicative of BPH effectively improved voiding and storage symptoms regardless of BOOI or BCI.