α1-adrenergic blockers in young men with primary bladder neck obstruction

Purpose: We assessed the efficacy and safety of the mid term use of alpha1-adrenergic blockers for treating primary bladder neck obstruction in young and middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: Between May 1998 and February 2001 primary bladder neck obstruction was diagnosed by videourodynamic study in 28 men younger than 55 years. The degree of obstruction was graded by the Schafer nomogram. Mean patient age and mean symptom duration were 39.3 years and 18.1 months, respectively. The presenting symptom was frequency in 22 cases (78.6%), urgency in 10 (35.7%), weak stream in 9 (32.1%), nocturia greater than 2 times in 7 (25%) and hesitancy in 7 (25%). A dose of 1 to 2 mg. doxazosin was administered at bedtime for at least 3 months. International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), quality of life, uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine were assessed before and 3 months after medication. Improved urine flow was defined as at least a 2.5 ml. per second increase in the maximum flow rate. Improved symptoms was defined as more than a 50% decrease in I-PSS. Successful treatment was defined as improved urine flow and symptoms. Results: Followup, data were available in 24 patients. The medication period and followup were 7 and 12 months, respectively. Mean I-PSS plus or minus standard deviation decreased from 18.3 +/- 4.6 to 11.6 +/- 5.2 (p < 0.01) and mean quality of life decreased from 4.1 +/- 1.1 to 2.6 +/- 1.0 (p < 0.01). Mean maximum flow increased from 11.8 +/- 3.2 to 15.9 +/- 3.9 ml. per second (p < 0.01). Mean post-void residual urine decreased from 80.2 +/- 17.1 to 48.5 +/- 10.3 ml. (p < 0.01). Treatment was successful in 13 patients (54.2%) and 3 (12.5%) were free of medication for at least 6 months. More successful outcomes were noted in patients with high grades III to IV obstruction than in those with low grades 0 to II obstruction (80% versus 35.7%, p = 0.03). Before treatment higher detrusor pressure at maximum flow (70.1 versus 47.8 cm. water, p = 0.01) and lower maximum flow (10.6 versus 13.3 ml. per second, p = 0.02) were observed in patients with successful versus unsuccessful treatment, respectively. Differences in patient age, I-PSS, quality of life, prostate size and post-void residual urine were not statistically significant. No significant adverse effects were noted. Conclusions: alpha1-Blockers were effective and safe for treating young men with primary bladder neck obstruction.