Abstract

A STUDY ON EFFICACY OF TAMSULOSIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA: A PROSPECTIVE

Tamsulosin hydrochloride can significantly improve benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms after the first dose and achieve long-term efficacy in European and American populations; however, the corresponding studies from India are rarely seen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of Tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.4 mg once daily in patients with BPH in Kerala, India. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Tamsulosin in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, who was treated for 1 month. Materials and method: Of the 96 patients from the urology department who participated in this investigation, 83 patients were evaluable. Tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day was administered orally for a 1month period. The primary efficacy parameters were improvement in the total, obstructive and irritative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), measured at baseline and at 1 month, and in the maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax) measured at baseline and at 1 month. The secondary efficacy parameters were a decrease of ?30% in IPSS and an increase in Qmax of ?30% from baseline. Changes in parameters between baseline and at 1 month were assessed using Student’s paired t-test. Results: Statistically significant, gradual improvements in all efficacy parameters were observed over the 1month period. Tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day resulted in a mean reduction in total IPSS (p < 0.001) and a mean increase of 4.56 mL/sec in Qmax, Qavg and Voided volume at 1 month (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study suggests that Tamsulosin 0.4mg is effective for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in elderly patients. The severity of symptoms was assessed by using IPSS and we concluded that, after 1 month of therapy, symptoms are reduced. Statistically significant gradual improvement in efficacy parameters was observed over 1 month period