Long-term risk of re-treatment of patients using α-blockers for lower urinary tract symptoms

Purpose: The efficacy of alpha-adrenoceptor blockers for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms has been proven in numerous studies. However, little is known about the efficacy of the longer term. We investigated the long-term risk of re-treatment in patients using alpha-adrenoceptor blockers for lower urinary tract symptoms and the parameters that influence this risk. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the files of 316 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms treated at our department with the alpha-blockers terazosin, alfuzosin or tamsulosin. Using followup data up to 3 years, we calculated re-treatment percentages in each treatment group. Using extended followup of 5 years, we calculated the predictive value of various baseline characteristics for re-treatment. Results: The re-treatment rates were 27% for tamsulosin, 37% for alfuzosin and 49% for terazosin. The re-treatment rates of patients with mild, moderate and severe lower urinary tract symptoms were 27%, 33% and 70%, respectively. Patients with a maximum urine flow of less or more than 10 ml. per second had a re-treatment rate of 58% and 47%, respectively. Patients with a prostate volume of less or more than 40 ml. had a re-treatment rate of 48% and 72%, respectively. Patients who were urodynamically unobstructed versus obstructed patients had a re-treatment rate of 44% and 59%, respectively. Conclusions: Patients given alpha-blockers for lower urinary tract symptoms have a high risk of re-treatment. Tamsulosin has a markedly lower re-treatment percentage than alfuzosin and terazosin. Severe symptoms, poor urine flow, an enlarged prostate and urodynamically proven bladder outlet obstruction increase the risk of treatment failure. Preselection of the most suitable candidates for alpha-blockade may reduce this risk.