Efficacy of Tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day in Female Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The study of lower urinary tact symptoms(LUTS) in women is rare except urinary incontinence, and there were even no diagnostic or therapeutic guidelines for female bladder outlet obstruction. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day single therapy for the female patients with LUTS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 71 patients were evaluable. Tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day was administered orally in a nonblind design for 8 weeks. The efficacy parameters were International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS), quality of life(QOL) score, frequency in daytime and night, maximal flow rate(Qmax), post-void residual urine volume(PVR), and changes in blood pressure and pulse rates. Changes in parameters between baseline and 8 weeks were assessed using Student's paired t-test. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes in the total, obstructive and irritative IPSS, QOL score, daytime and night time frequency, Qmax and PVR were observed at week 8. Adverse events included dizziness in 2 patients and increased nocturia in 1 patient. There were no withdrawals resulting from adverse events. There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure, but did not cause significant hypotension events. CONCLUSION: Treatment with tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day in female patients with LUTS was effective and well tolerated in improving LUTS and QOL.