Effects of α-blocker therapy on active duty military and military retirees for benign prostatic hypertrophy on diabetic complications.
OBJECTIVE
Determine if men with type 2 diabetes who take α-blockers (ABs) for benign prostatic hypertrophy gain additional benefit with reduced diabetic complications.


METHODS
Chart review of 1,100 men with type 2 diabetes and benign prostatic hypertrophy taking either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker.


RESULTS
Of the 1,100 men, 330 took ABs and 770 did not take ABs. Despite no difference in blood pressure between men taking or not taking ABs, those taking them had more evidence of renal and cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of complications varied among the AB types with tamsulosin users having more coronary artery disease diagnoses and doxazosin users having more renal disease diagnoses.


CONCLUSIONS
ABs when prescribed for benign prostatic hypertrophy not only failed to give additional protection against developing diabetic complications but were associated with more cardiovascular and renal disease diagnoses. Prospective randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine if there is a causal relationship between ABs and adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and benign prostatic hypertrophy already on an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker.
San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
Sky D
SD
Graybill
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889.
Robert A
RA
Vigersky
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D017292:Doxazosin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012179:Retirement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D014481:United States
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D017292:Doxazosin