Effect of combination treatment on patient-related outcome measures in benign prostatic hyperplasia: clinical utility of dutasteride and tamsulosin.
BACKGROUND
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, the fourth most commonly diagnosed medical condition in the elderly, is a major underlying cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in men. Medical therapy is usually the first therapeutic option. Combination therapy is increasingly used for better symptom relief and outcome.


METHODS
We searched the literature using the MEDLINE database for the efficacy of combination therapy in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia in terms of symptom improvement and impact on quality of life.


RESULTS
Combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin not only provides better symptom improvement and improved urinary flow rate, but is also associated with a more favorable impact on quality of life and patient satisfaction with treatment than monotherapy. Combination therapy also reduces the risk of events related to disease progression, such as acute urinary retention and benign prostatic hyperplasia-related surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin is highly efficacious as medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms.
New York University, Department of Urology, New York, USA.
Bob
B
Djavan
Seyed Saeid
SS
Dianat
Amir
A
Kazzazi