Article
5-ARI, alpha-blocker differ in number of BPH-related complications
The 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor dutasteride (Avodart) is associated with markedly lower BPH-related complication rates than the alpha-blocker tamsulosin (Flomax), according to a post hoc analysis of two large clinical trials of these agents presented yesterday.
The 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor dutasteride (Avodart) is associated with markedly lower BPH-related complication rates than the alpha-blocker tamsulosin (Flomax), according to a post hoc analysis of two large clinical trials of these agents presented yesterday.
The data were presented by first author Claus G. Roehrborn, MD, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
The rates of acute urinary retention (AUR) and BPH-related surgery were compared in the treatment arms of the CombAT (Combination of Avodart and Tamsulosin) and REDUCE (Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events) studies. These rates were compared among subgroups of men with the same prostate volume and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).
The CombAT study compared the combination of dutasteride, 0.5 mg, plus tamsulosin, 0.4 mg, with either monotherapy on BPH outcomes. The REDUCE study was a 4-year study of men at risk of prostate cancer who were randomized to dutasteride, 0.5 mg, or placebo.
The post hoc analysis focused on men with an IPSS of 12 or greater at screening and a baseline prostate volume of 30 cc to 80 cc.
The rate of AUR/BPH-related surgery was significantly lower in all dutasteride arms compared with tamsulosin monotherapy or placebo. The rates of AUR/BPH-related surgery were:
- 3.7% in the combination dutasteride-tamsulosin arm in CombAT (p
- 4.9% in the dutasteride arm of CombAT (p
- 3.9% in the dutasteride arm of REDUCE (p
- 10.3% in the tamsulosin monotherapy arm of CombAT (p=.007 vs. placebo arm in REDUCE)
- 13.9% in the placebo arm of REDUCE.
The rates of AUR/BPH-related surgery for the dutasteride groups were relatively stable when stratified by prostate volume, but in the non-dutasteride groups, the rates more than doubled when comparing smaller to larger prostate volumes.
Over 4 years, the rates of serious BPH complications approached 20% in men with the largest prostates-60 cc to less than 80 cc-in the men randomized to tamsulosin monotherapy (17.4%) and placebo (19.7%).
"Dutasteride, with or without tamsulosin, reduced the rate of these complications to 2.9%-5.4% across the spectrum of the prostate volume categories," said Dr. Roehrborn.
