Tamsulosin: effect on quality of life in 2740 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms managed in real-life practice in Spain.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of tamsulosin treatment on the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the impact on quality of life (QoL), including daily life activities and mental well being, in real life practice in Spain.


METHODS
2740 LUTS patients aged 45-75 years who visited a urologist office in Spain received tamsulosin 0.4 mg o.d.. At baseline, after 3 months and after 6 months of treatment a questionnaire was completed by the urologist and the patient. The urologist estimated some aspects of the patient's QoL related to his LUTS. The International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) was used to assess the severity of LUTS, while the BPH-Specific Interference with Activities (BSIA) and the Total Mental Health Rate assessed the impact on daily life activities and psychological well being respectively.


RESULTS
After 3 months of treatment tamsulosin significantly improved the mean total I-PSS compared to baseline. After 6 months, the mean total I-PSS was reduced by 11.0 points from a baseline score of 20.3 (> 50% reduction). Tamsulosin also significantly improved the mean total BSIA score and the mean Total Mental Health Rate. These observations were confirmed by the urologists' assessment of the patient's condition: an increase of more than 50% of patients with no or mild voiding and filling LUTS and an increase of 45% of patients with no or only a small interference of their LUTS with daily life activities. The withdrawal rate due to adverse reactions was 2.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that tamsulosin improves LUTS and their impact on the patient's QoL and daily life activities, in the opinion of both the patients and the urologists.
Batista
J Emilio
JE
Urology Service, Fundación Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain. 25887jbm@comb.es
Palacio
Andrés
A
Torrubia
Rafael
R
Hernández
Carlos
C
Vicente
José
J
Resel
Luis
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077409:Tamsulosin