title: Effects of dutasteride on serum free-testosterone and clinical significance of testosterone changes.
abstract: Sixty-two patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) who were being treated with dutasteride participated in this study. Prostate volume, uroflowmetry, blood tests, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) were determined before and 1, 3 and 12 months after the treatment with dutasteride. Patients were divided into two groups based on changes in serum testosterone after 1 month: Group A (>20% increase; n = 33) or Group B (<20% increase; n = 29). Serum free-testosterone levels were 20.4% higher after 1 month and remained constant thereafter. When Groups A and B were compared, baseline free-testosterone levels were significantly lower in Group A, IPSS QOL was significantly better in Group A at 3 and 12 months, and no significant differences were observed in uroflowmetry, prostate volume, IPSS or IIEF-5. A univariate analysis identified serum free-testosterone levels and the IPSS storage symptom subscore as significant factors influencing IPSS QOL at 12 months, and only the IPSS storage symptom subscore appeared to be independently related to IPSS QOL. These results indicate that dutasteride increases serum free-testosterone levels in BPH patients, particularly with low baseline free-testosterone levels, and the increase in free-testosterone may have further add-on impacts on their urinary tract symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe City, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Enatsu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe City, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyake
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe City, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haraguchi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe City, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe City, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujisawa
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000068538:Dutasteride / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D013739:Testosterone; D000068538:Dutasteride
keywords: Benign prostate hyperplasia; dutasteride; free-testosterone; lower urinary tract symptoms