Influence of prostate size on terazosin efficacy.
BACKGROUND
While the rationale for the use of alpha1-adrenoreceptor antagonists in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction is well established, not all patients have either objective or subjective improvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of prostatic size on the changes of peak flow rate, average flow rate and residual urine in symptomatic BPH patients undergoing terazosin treatment.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with symptomatic BPH received terazosin, 5 mg once a day for 3 weeks after a 2-week dose escalation period. Peak and average flow rates as well as residual urine were assessed before and after treatment. The patients were stratified in 3 groups by prostate size, which was estimated by transabdominal ultrasonography and a digital rectal examination.


RESULTS
The baseline characteristics for age, peak flow rate and average flow rate did not vary between the 3 groups, however, the pretreatment volume of residual urine was greater in patients with large prostate adenomas. Terazosin treatment resulted in significant changes in flow rate and residual urine, however, changes in flow rates were not influenced by prostate size, while a marked decrease in residual urine was found in patients with large prostates.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients treated with terazosin obtained similar improvement in peak and average uroflow, independent of the size of the prostate.
Becopoulos
T
T
Department of Urology, Athens Medical School, Greece.
Mitropoulos
D
D
Christofis
I
I
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011224:Prazosin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000187:drug effects
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; C041226:Terazosin; D011224:Prazosin