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What Patient Queries About Alpha Blockers Do You Encounter While Managing BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an emerging concern in the male population due to aging and changing lifestyles.1 This is characterized by an enlarged prostate that causes symptoms linked to the bladder, urinary tract, or kidneys, e.g., partial or complete urethral blockage.1 In 2019, the global age-standardized BPH prevalence was 2480 per 100,000 people.1  As for India, there has been an alarming 90.9% increase in BPH cases from 2000 to 2019.2

The primary BPH treatment involves medical management with alpha blockers (ABs), anticholinergics, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and beta-3 agonists.3 Among these, ABs are the first line of therapy for patients with bothersome, moderate-to-severe BPH/lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).2

However, BPH treatment with ABs involves a plethora of questions from the patients. The first question stands to be exactly how long ABs should be taken, for which the answer is at least 6 months.4 Further, patients at times discontinue BPH medications, and the associated next question turns out to be if ABs can be followed intermittently.5,6

Conclusion

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an emerging health concern in males with increasing prevalence globally as well as in India.1,2 Treatment of BPH with ABs is associated with varied questions from the patients’ end that need to be answered in clinical practice.

CTA: Let us listen to the expert, Dr. V Surya Prakash, and delve further into the patient queries during the management of BPH/LUTS.

References ▼

1. Ye Z, Wang J, Xiao Y, et al. Global burden of benign prostatic hyperplasia in males aged 60–90 years from 1990 to 2019: Results from the global burden of disease study 2019. BMC Urol. 2024;24(1):193.
2. Reddy M, Sarkar K, Sabnis R, et al. Algorithmic approach to benign prostatic hyperplasia: An Indian perspective. J Assoc Physicians India. 2024;72(7):e1–e7.
3. O'Quin C, White KL, Campbell JR, et al. Pharmacological approaches in managing symptomatic relief of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A comprehensive review. Cureus. 2023;15(12):e51314.
4. Cisternino A, Zeccolini G, Calpista A, et al. Obstructive primary bladder neck disease: Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of alpha1-blockers. Urol Int. 2006;76(2):150–153.
5. Rensing AJ, Kuxhausen A, Vetter J, et al. Differences in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Comparing the primary care physician and the urologist. Urol Pract. 2017;4(3):193–199.
6. Kaplan SA, Reis RB, Cologna A, et al. Intermittent alpha-blocker therapy in the treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Urology. 1998;52(1):12–16.

 

LMRC CODE: GGI-CO-A1-AQS-300020632-BANNERS-J24-0656

 

 

 

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