The impact of medical therapy for benign prostatic obstruction on the health-related quality of life at tertiary hospital: A prospective study

Benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) is a common condition in older men that often result in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). LUTS associated with Benign Prostate Enlargement (BPE) may have significant negative impact on patients’ health-related quality of life as can certain treatments for the condition. This study aimed to determine the impact of medical therapy on health-related quality of life among patients on treatment for BPO.This was a hospital based descriptive study carried out in urology public and private clinics from April to December 2017.  All diagnostic and treatment options of patients were decided by attending clinicians of which Patients aged ≥40 years on medical treatment for BPO were included. Symptom and Health Related Quality Life (HRQL) were measured at baseline and at 3 months using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index score (BII) tools. A total 150 patients were included in the analysis with a mean age of 54), mean PSA of 4.45ng/ml and a mean prostate volume 54.62cc. Majority, 144(96.5%) had moderate and severe LUTS and 94(63%) men received a combination of tamsulosin and finasteride and 44(29%) men received tamsulosin alone: Medical therapy was associated with overall improvement of quality of life (p<0.001). A combination of tamsulosin and finasteride was associated with more adverse effects. Improvements in Quality of life (QoL) and symptoms were noted across the medical treatments most widely used in real-life practice at MNH to manage patients with BPO. Tamsulosin showed an equivalent efficacy to a combination of tamsulosin and finasteride at third month of therapy with fewer adverse effects.