PURPOSE: To examine the effects of doxazosin, finasteride and combined therapy among men with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) on sexual function assessed by the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) over 4 years.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) Study was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a primary outcome of time-to-BPH progression. Change in sexual function was a secondary outcome. A total of 2,783 men enrolled in the MTOPS Study who completed the BMSFI at baseline and at least once during follow-up were analyzed.
RESULTS: Among men enrolled in the MTOPS Study, sexual function declined over time. Overall, men assigned to finasteride and combined therapy experienced statistically significant but small worsening of ejaculatory function compared with placebo. Men assigned to combined therapy also experienced significant worsening in erectile function and sexual problem assessment. There was no significant difference in changes in any of the BMSFI domains among men assigned to doxazosin alone compared to placebo.
CONCLUSIONS: This study significantly extends understanding of the effects of long-term treatment with these drugs on sexual function in men with LUTS/BPH. Treatment with finasteride or combined therapy was associated with worsening of sexual function whereas treatment with doxazosin alone was associated with minimal, if any, negative impact. Physicians should discuss the possible long-term effects of these drugs for LUTS/BPH on sexual function with their patients.
Written by:
Fwu CW, Eggers PW, Kirkali Z, McVary KT, Burrows PK, Kusek JW. Are you the author?
Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., Silver Spring, MD; Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Division of Urology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL; The George Washington University Biostatistics Center, Rockville, MD.
Reference: J Urol. 2013 Dec 13. pii: S0022-5347(13)06108-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2013.12.014
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24342143
