Electronic medical records-based retrospective, longitudinal, observational study to understand the patient management of benign prostatic hyperplasia with alpha-blockers monotherapy in Indian population.

Objective: The present retrospective study evaluates the effectiveness and tolerability of alpha-blockers as monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Materials and methods: A total of 335 male patients >50 years were categorized into four groups (Alfuzosin: 166, Silodosin: 67, Tamsulosin: 70, Prazosin: 32). The efficacy evaluated as a change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume, and relief from LUTS, and tolerability of the various alpha-blockers was assessed across the study group.

Results: At baseline, most of the patients in alfuzosin (60%), silodosin (77%), and tamsulosin (90%) groups presented with severe IPSS (20-35), whereas patients in the prazosin group (69%) presented with a moderate score. At the end of the study, the mean IPSS gradually improved to moderate (41%, 62%, 66%, and 28%) and mild (59%, 38%, 28%, and 72%) in the alfuzosin, silodosin, tamsulosin, and prazosin groups, respectively (P = 0.004), with improvement in mean change in residual urine volume and complete relief from LUTS symptoms with no surgical or radiological interventions. Overall, 194 adverse events (AEs) were observed in 38.8% of patients. Of the total AEs, patients in the alfuzosin, silodosin, tamsulosin, and prazosin groups experienced 21%, 22%, 39%, and 18% of AEs, respectively.

Conclusion: The nonselective alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist, alfuzosin, emerged as noninferior in effectiveness and superior in tolerability than other selective alpha-blockers, silodosin, tamsulosin, and prazosin.