Tamsulosin: effect on quality of life in 2740 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms managed in real-life practice in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of tamsulosin treatment on the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the impact on quality of life (QoL), including daily life activities and mental well being, in real life practice in Spain. METHODS: 2740 LUTS patients aged 45-75 years who visited a urologist office in Spain received tamsulosin 0.4 mg o.d.. At baseline, after 3 months and after 6 months of treatment a questionnaire was completed by the urologist and the patient. The urologist estimated some aspects of the patient's QoL related to his LUTS. The International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) was used to assess the severity of LUTS, while the BPH-Specific Interference with Activities (BSIA) and the Total Mental Health Rate assessed the impact on daily life activities and psychological well being respectively. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment tamsulosin significantly improved the mean total I-PSS compared to baseline. After 6 months, the mean total I-PSS was reduced by 11.0 points from a baseline score of 20.3 (> 50% reduction). Tamsulosin also significantly improved the mean total BSIA score and the mean Total Mental Health Rate. These observations were confirmed by the urologists' assessment of the patient's condition: an increase of more than 50% of patients with no or mild voiding and filling LUTS and an increase of 45% of patients with no or only a small interference of their LUTS with daily life activities. The withdrawal rate due to adverse reactions was 2.4%. CONCLUSION: This study shows that tamsulosin improves LUTS and their impact on the patient's QoL and daily life activities, in the opinion of both the patients and the urologists.