Tailoring pharmacotherapy for male lower urinary tract symptoms: A prospective, multicenter, observational trial

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of tailoring and efficacy of several types of pharmacotherapy in male LUTS. Methods Prospectively 404 male subjects were included who were over 40 years old, had at least 3 months symptom duration, and 12 or higher international prostate symptom score (IPSS). Subjects were treated with several types of pharmacotherapy for 6 months and were evaluated with IPSS/QoL at every follow‐up. Subjects were subdivided into storage (44%), nocturia (18.5%), and voiding symptom (37.5%) groups according to the most bothersome symptom. Results At 6 months, 188 subjects (46.5%) completed the study. The mean age was 64.2±8.5 years, and symptom duration was 30.6±32.6 months. PSA was 2.98±7.96 ng/mL, and prostate size was 32.8±14.2 cc. IPSS continually decreased from baseline (18.7) to last follow‐up (10.8). Combination therapy increased from 33.0% to 52.7% at last follow‐up (P=.006). However, there was no difference of IPSS changes between combination and monotherapy groups (P>.05). Only antimuscarinic prescription significantly increased from 15.4% to 28.2% (P=.004). Mean number of visits to the clinic was 3.6±1.3 and the number of treatment changes was 0.31±0.47. The nocturia (0.47±0.51) group changed treatment more than voiding group (0.21±0.41, P=.003). However, the voiding group (−9.4) had significantly more improvement than e storage (−6.4) and nocturia (−7.8) groups (P=.011). Conclusions Male LUTS continually improved over 6 months with customised treatment. Pharmacotherapy for male LUTS should be tailored by symptom type and alteration of symptoms during treatment.