Comparison of alfuzosin 10 mg with or without propiverine 10 mg, 20 mg in men with lower urinary tract symptom and an overactive bladder: randomised, single-blind, prospective study

Alfuzosin for the medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms: a systematic review of the literature and narrative synthesis

BACKGROUND

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are a bothersome frequent symptom in adult males. This systematic review analyzed the available evidence on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of alfuzosin, and its clinical efficacy both as monotherapy and in combination with other drugs for the treatment of male LUTS/BPH.

METHODS

A systematic review of the last 10 years was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane libraries in March 2020. The protocol for this systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (Central Registration Depository: CRD42020136120) and is available in full on the University of York website.

RESULTS

Alfuzosin is a quinazoline derivative and, although a nonspecific α1-blocker, exhibits a selective concentration in the prostate compared with plasma in patients with BPH. Three registration trials assessed the safety and efficacy of alfuzosin. The 10 mg daily formulation has a three-layered matrix containing the active substance between two inactive coats allowing a drug release over 20 h. Alfuzosin showed high tolerability, few vasodilatory effects and a low rate of ejaculation disorders over older alpha-blocking compounds thanks to the high uroselectivity of alfuzosin and its preferential concentration at urinary level. Six randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessed efficacy and safety of alfuzosin versus other alpha-blockers ± placebo: three studies comparing with tamsulosin, one with doxazosin, and two with silodosin or tamsulosin. One RCT investigated the clinical outcomes of alfuzosin with finasteride, two with propiverine and two with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

Alfuzosin is an effective drug for the treatment of LUTS/BPH, with a lower rate of sexual disorders compared with other alpha-blockers. Alfuzosin is also safe with low adverse events in case of concomitant antihypertensive therapy and in patients with cardiovascular morbidity. Safety and efficacy of alfuzosin has been reported also in case of combination therapy with antimuscarinic agents and PDE5i.

Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores responsiveness before and after anticholinergic treatment in women with overactive bladder: The pilot study

AIM

The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate change of Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores (OABSS) from before to after solifenacin treatment; and (ii) to evaluate correlation between change of OABSS and 3-day micturition diary, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC).

METHODS

Thirty-six women, aged > 18 years, diagnosed as having overactive bladder (OAB) at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, with the symptoms of urgency, frequency with or without urge incontinence for more than 3 months, and at least three episodes of urgency with or without incontinence during the last 3 days prior to the study, were recruited during January 2010-May 2011. All cases received solifenacin 5-mg treatment once a day and were asked to record a 3-day micturition diary and to complete the Thai version of the OABSS, IPSS, and PPBC questionnaires at weeks 0, 4, and 12 after treatment.

RESULTS

The OABSS, IPSS, and PPBC scores and all parameters of the 3-day micturition diary had changed significantly by weeks 4 and 12. The OABSS correlated significantly with IPSS score (r = 0.44), PPBC score (r = 0.39), and urgency episodes (r = 0.48).

CONCLUSION

The OABSS had good responsiveness, similar to the other questionnaires (the IPSS and PPBC) and the 3-day micturition diary. The use of OABSS is recommended in OAB women for evaluation after anticholinergic drug treatment.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of tolterodine 2 mg and 4 mg combined with an α-blocker in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and overactive bladder: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose (2 mg) tolterodine extended release (ER) with an α-blocker compared with standard-dose (4 mg) tolterodine ER with an α-blocker for the treatment of men with residual storage symptoms after α-blocker monotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study was a 12-week, single-blind, randomized, parallel-group, non-inferiority trial that included men with residual storage symptoms despite receiving at least 4 weeks of α-blocker treatment. Inclusion criteria were total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥12, IPSS quality-of-life item score ≥3, and ≥8 micturitions and ≥2 urgency episodes per 24 h. The primary outcome was change in the total IPSS score from baseline. Bladder diary variables, patient-reported outcomes and safety were also assessed.

RESULTS

Patients were randomly assigned to addition of either 2 mg tolterodine ER (n = 47) or 4 mg tolterodine ER (n = 48) to α-blocker therapy for 12 weeks. Patients in both treatment groups had a significant improvement in total IPSS score (-5.5 and -6.3, respectively), micturition per 24 h (-1.3 and -1.7, respectively) and nocturia per night (-0.4 and -0.4, respectively). Changes in IPSS, bladder diary variables, and patient-reported outcomes were not significantly different between the treatment groups. All interventions were well tolerated by patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that 12 weeks of low-dose tolterodine ER add-on therapy is similar to standard-dose tolterodine ER add-on therapy in terms of efficacy and safety for patients experiencing residual storage symptoms after receiving α-blocker monotherapy.