ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a combination drug therapy (tamsulosin plus finasteride) for benign prostatic hyperplasia, with a small prostate volume of less than 40 grams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three patients, with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia of less than 40 grams, were analysed. Group 1 (n=67) had been treated with a combination of finasteride (5mg/day) and tamsulosin (0.2mg/ day), and Group 2 (n=56) with tamsulosin only (0.2mg/day) over a 12 month period. The patients were periodically assessed by IPSS (international prostate symptom score), uroflowmetry and residual urine, during the treatment period. RESULTS: The mean changes in the total symptom score, obstructive and irritative symptom score for group 1 and group 2 at 1 year were -7.21+/-7.44 (39.86%), -4.79+/-5.07 (45.02%) and -2.42+/-3.25 (48.11%), and -7.39+/-9.98 (43.06%), -4.82+/-6.91 (45.21%) and -2.39+/-4.00 (37.82%) points, respectively. The mean changes in the peak urinary-flow rates and postvoid residual urine for group 1 and group 2 at 1 year were 2.07+/-5.42 (16.65%)ml/s and -31.58+/-60.99 (56.47%)ml, and 2.38+/-6.57 (16.53%)ml/s and -34.78+/-86.77 (50.24%)ml, respectively. The effects of the combination of finasteride and tamsulosin were no greater than the tamsulosin monotherapy (p>0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of finasteride and tamsulosin is no more effective than tamsulosin alone, in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, with a prostate volume of less than 40 grams.