title: Is Tamsulosin 0.2 mg Effective and Safe as a First-Line Treatment Compared with Other Alpha Blockers?: A Meta-Analysis and a Moderator Focused Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tamsulosin 0.2 mg is used widely in Asian people, but the low dose has been studied less than tamsulosin 0.4 mg or other alpha blockers of standard dose. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin 0.2 mg by a meta-analysis and meta-regression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a meta-analysis of efficacy of tamsulosin 0.2 mg using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-voided residual volume (PVR), and quality of life (QoL). Safety was analyzed using adverse events. Relevant studies were searched using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library from January 1980 to June 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten studies were included with a total sample size of 1418 subjects [722 tamsulosin 0.2 mg group and 696 other alpha-blockers (terazosin, doxazosin, naftopidil, silodosin) group]. Study duration ranged from 4 to 24 weeks. The pooled overall standardized mean differences (SMD) in the mean change of IPSS from baseline for the tamsulosin group versus the control group was 0.02 [95% confidence interval (CI); -0.20, 0.25]. The pooled overall SMD in the mean change of QoL from baseline for the tamsulosin group versus the control group was 0.16 (95% CI; -0.16, 0.48). The regression analysis with the continuous variables (number of patients, study duration) revealed no significance in all outcomes as IPSS, QoL, and Qmax.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study clarifies that tamsulosin 0.2 mg has similar efficacy and fewer adverse events compared with other alpha-blockers as an initial treatment strategy for men with lower urinary tract symptoms.
authors: Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology Research, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Sung Ryul
authors: SR
authors: Shim
authors: Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. piacekjh@hanmail.net.
authors: Jae Heon
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Urology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Urological Science Institute, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: In Ho
authors: IH
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Education, College of Education, Jeonju University, Jeonju, Korea.
authors: In Soo
authors: IS
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Social Welfare, Kyungpook National University College of Social Science, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Sung Dong
authors: SD
authors: Hwang
authors: Department of Urology, Gil Hospital, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors: Khae Hwan
authors: KH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Urology, Gil Hospital, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors: Sang Jin
authors: SJ
authors: Yoon
authors: Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Yun Seob
authors: YS
authors: Song
mesh_terms: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077409:Tamsulosin
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077409:Tamsulosin
keywords: Prostatic hyperplasia; alpha blockers; tamsulosin