title: Quality of life and alpha-blocker therapy: an important consideration for both the patient and the physician.
abstract: Symptom severity and the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on quality of life (QOL) are the usual reasons that patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) seek medical care. Various questionnaires have been developed to assess symptom severity and to gauge the impact of these symptoms on QOL. These instruments have been validated in studies and are used to compare agents used to treat LUTS in patients with BPH. Studies have shown that as the severity of LUTS increases, so does the impact on a patient's QOL. Tools have also been developed to assess sexual function in patients with BPH who frequently manifest erectile dysfunction. Treatment of LUTS in patients with BPH should be evaluated for the effect on symptom severity, QOL, and sexual function.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: O'Leary
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists