Effect of Tamsulosin HCl (0.2 mg) on Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms with Maximal Urinary Flow Rate Less Than 12 ml/sec

PURPOSE: Alpha adrenergic components do not seem prevalent in the female bladder neck. Nevertheless, some studies using alpha-blockers in women suffering from obstructed urine flow have been reported. We assessed the effectiveness of administering an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, tamsulosin, in patients with a maximal flow rate less than 12 ml/sec. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2007, 150 patients with a maximal flow rate less than 12 ml/sec were selected for this study. Patients were treated with tamsulosin at a dose of 0.2 mg per day. The effectiveness of tamsulosin was assessed by analyzing the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and other parameters, including the maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax) and the amount of postvoid residual urine. The data for these parameters were acquired at baseline and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Of the 150 patients, 113 patients (75.3%) completed the study. Except for the storage symptom score, all clinical parameters, including total IPSS, voiding symptom score, Qmax, and the amount of residual urine, showed significant improvement after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment (p<0.05). The incidence of adverse events was only 4.4%, including dizziness in 3 patients, stress incontinence in 1 patient, and lethargy in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: The alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist tamsulosin significantly improved subjective symptoms and uroflowmetric parameters in female patients with a low maximal flow rate of less than 12 ml/sec. The use of tamsulosin may be an initial treatment option in females with a low maximal urinary flow rate.

Non-Responding Factors of Medical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Although adrenergic alpha-blockers were initially used for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), their failure rate was about 30% or less. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and the risk factors contributing to the failure of this treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 234 patients with BPH who were initially treated with adrenergic alpha-blockers, 84 (36%) were classified as non-responsive (Group II) following 3 months medical treatment. There were 150 patients with a good medical response (Group I). Prior to, and 3 months following medication, IPSS (International prostate symptom score) questionnaires, uroflowmetry, TRUS (Transurethral ultrasonography), height, weight, past medical history and life style factors, including smoking status, alcohol consumption, exercise and coffee consumption were checked. The TURP findings were taken from both the non-response and initial TURP groups (Group III). RESULTS: There were no differences in risk and life style factors between the 3 groups. When comparing groups II and III, the bladder neck elevation (p=0.003), median lobe enlargement (p=0.016), prostate stone (p=0.004) and micro-abscess (p=0.003) were all significantly different. Statistical differences were obtained between groups I and II for the bladder neck elevation (p=0.002), and the median lobe enlargement (p=0.001) from cystourethroscopy. Prostate stones (p=0.006) were compared between the TRUS (group I) and TURP (group II) groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings clearly demonstrate that the BPH patients, classified as non responsive following 3 months of medical treatment, need cystoscopy or TRUS to find a more appropriate treatment.