The clinical and flowmetric results of the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with doxazosin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of doxazosin for 6 months in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A prospective clinical and uroflowmetric study was conducted on 65 males with BPH treated with doxazosin 4 mg daily for 6 months. Patient mean age was 66.7 years (range 45-79). Clinical evaluation (IPSS and andrologic data) and blood analyses were performed before and after treatment. IPSS data were obtained according to the WHO validation and Spanish translation. RESULTS: A significant improvement was found between the mean pre- and post-treatment IPSS scores (19.8 +/- 4.8 vs 11.9 +/- 4.6; p < 0.001). Maximum flow rate before treatment was 9.13 ml/sec, which increased to 16.23 ml/sec after treatment (p < 0.001). Postvoid residual urine dropped from 21.7% to 12.5% (p < 0.01). All the patients were normotensive before (135.9 mean systolic and 78.9 mean diastolic blood pressure) and after treatment (135.4 mean systolic and 77.8 mean diastolic blood pressure). Mean heart rate was similar before and after treatment (71.9 +/- 5.8 vs 71.8 +/- 5.9). A relationship between low IPSS score before treatment and urinary symptoms improvement was demonstrated (coeff. -0.45939). No relationship was found between prostate volume (digital rectal examination or transabdominal ultrasound) and improvement in the IPSS score. No statistical relationship was found between the IPSS and postvoid residual urine or peak flow. No modifications of sexual activity was demonstrated with doxazosin treatment. Pre- and post-treatment blood analytical data fell within the normal ranges. Transient side effects were observed in 12 patients (20%): headache in 6 patients (10%), fatigue in 6 (10%), dizziness in 3 (5%) and somnolence in (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Doxazosin, at a daily dose of 4 mg daily for 6 months, is a safe and effective treatment in patients with BPH.