title: Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  • To review the evidence in support of the effectiveness of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  
  
  METHODS
  • Relevant studies were identified by performing a literature search using MEDLINE® and The Cochrane Library®. The criteria used during the search included randomized, placebo-controlled trials of treatment for LUTS secondary to BPH using the International Prostate Symptom Score as an outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  • Four trials that included a total of 1928 patients met the inclusion criteria. All four studies showed a statistically significant difference in the International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life and erectile function in favour of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. • No study showed a statistically significant improvement of the maximum urinary flow. • Meta-analysis of the results was not possible because of heterogeneity across the studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors used in the clinical setting can significantly improve LUTS secondary to BPH, erectile function and quality of life. Maximum urinary flow improvement is not statistically significant. • Future research should focus on pathophysiological principles and cost analysis.
authors.affiliation: Roberto Santos General Hospital, Salvador, Brazil. dr.1berto@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Humberto K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Laydner
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Carlos Roberto A
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Tafadzwa P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Makarawo
authors.forename: Weslley S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Matheus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tannus
authors.forename: José Luciano R
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Araújo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053448:Prostatism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors