Prescriber monitoring for benign prostatic hyperplasia within a family medicine clinic: a comparison of medication classes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare prescriber monitoring for safety and efficacy of medication classes used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).


METHODS
This was a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with BPH who were prescribed medications within a family medicine clinic between January 2008 and August 2010. Patients were divided into those receiving nonselective and uroselective alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), and combination therapy. A chart review was performed with regard to predetermined criteria to monitor how efficacy and adverse effects were assessed by providers in the clinic.


RESULTS
A general genitourinary assessment was documented most frequently for patients receiving 5-ARIs and least frequently in patients receiving nonselective alpha-blockers. A digital rectal examination was documented in 11% of patients. Prostate-specific antigen concentrations were assessed evenly across all medication classes and documented in 47% of eligible patients. However, the American Urological Association Symptom Index and quality-of-life questions were not performed on any patients, and assessments of adverse effects were not documented.


CONCLUSIONS
Although prescribers in a family medicine clinic recorded a general genitourinary assessment for patients receiving BPH medications, a more standardized approach is needed.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. jsherman@umc.edu
Justin J
JJ
Sherman
Ron W
RW
Welch
T Matthew
TM
Hill
Corey
C
McEwen
D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D017292:Doxazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D011224:Prazosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077409:Tamsulosin
D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D007211:Indoles; D011799:Quinazolines; D013449:Sulfonamides; C041226:Terazosin; C047638:alfuzosin; C095285:silodosin; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D017292:Doxazosin; D011224:Prazosin